U.S. patent number 8,425,303 [Application Number 12/618,184] was granted by the patent office on 2013-04-23 for gaming system, gaming device and method for providing a persistence game with multiple symbol evaluations.
This patent grant is currently assigned to IGT. The grantee listed for this patent is Timothy L. Kennedy, Robert F. Lester, Cullen P. O'Day, Paulina Rodgers. Invention is credited to Timothy L. Kennedy, Robert F. Lester, Cullen P. O'Day, Paulina Rodgers.
United States Patent |
8,425,303 |
Kennedy , et al. |
April 23, 2013 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing a persistence
game with multiple symbol evaluations
Abstract
In one embodiment, the gaming system and method disclosed herein
employs a symbol accumulation sequence and a symbol evaluation
sequence. The symbol accumulation sequence includes an accumulation
of a designated quantity of symbols in association with a
persistence game. The symbol accumulation sequence also includes
the maintenance of a persistence game arrangement that displays a
designated quantity of currently accumulated symbols (which in
certain instances, includes some, but not all of the total number
of symbols accumulated). In one embodiment, the symbol evaluation
sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an
award based on the accumulated symbols of the persistence game. In
another embodiment, the symbol evaluation sequence includes the
gaming system determining and providing an award based on at least
one of the accumulated symbols of the persistence game and at least
one symbol generated for a current play of a wagering game.
Inventors: |
Kennedy; Timothy L. (Reno,
NV), O'Day; Cullen P. (Reno, NV), Rodgers; Paulina
(Reno, NV), Lester; Robert F. (Reno, NV) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kennedy; Timothy L.
O'Day; Cullen P.
Rodgers; Paulina
Lester; Robert F. |
Reno
Reno
Reno
Reno |
NV
NV
NV
NV |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
IGT (Reno, NV)
|
Family
ID: |
44011700 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/618,184 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2009 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20110117989 A1 |
May 19, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/20; 463/26;
463/16; 463/19; 463/18; 463/17; 463/27; 463/25; 463/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F
17/34 (20130101); G07F 17/3267 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
13/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;463/9,12,16-23,25-28,43 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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WO 98/19280 |
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May 1998 |
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WO |
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WO 2008/156846 |
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Dec 2008 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Pandya; Sunit
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg
LLP
Claims
The invention is claimed as follows:
1. A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at
least one input device; at least one processor; and at least one
memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when
executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one
processor to operate with the at least one display device and the
at least one input device to: (a) for each of a plurality of plays
of a wagering game, generate a symbol combination from a plurality
of different symbol combinations including a plurality of
designated winning symbol combinations; (b) display a persistence
game arrangement during said plays of the wagering game, wherein
the persistence game arrangement includes any of a predetermined
number of accumulated designated winning symbol combinations; (c)
for each designated winning symbol combination generated, cause an
accumulation of said generated designated winning symbol
combination in the persistence game arrangement, wherein if the
predetermined number of designated winning symbol combinations have
been previously accumulated in the persistence game arrangement,
replace one of said previously accumulated designated winning
symbol combinations in the persistence game arrangement with said
generated designated winning symbol combination; and (d) upon a
persistence game symbol evaluation triggering event, if any
designated winning symbol combinations are currently accumulated in
the persistence game arrangement, provide at least one award
associated with at least one of the designated winning symbol
combinations currently accumulated in the persistence game
arrangement.
2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to: (a) for each of any designated winning
symbol combinations generated in association with one of the plays
of the wagering game, provide at least one award associated with
said designated winning symbol combination based on a first
paytable having a first average expected payout; and (b) upon the
persistence game symbol evaluation triggering event, for each of
any designated winning symbol combinations currently accumulated in
the persistence game arrangement, provide at least one award
associated with said designated winning symbol combination based on
a different second paytable having a second average expected
payout.
3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, if the persistence game symbol evaluation
triggering event occurs, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to modify the at least one award at least one
modifier.
4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one accumulated
symbol of at least one winning symbol combination is part of two
designated winning symbol combinations currently accumulated in the
persistence game arrangement.
5. A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at
least one input device; at least one processor; and at least one
memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when
executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one
processor to operate with the at least one display device and the
at least one input device to: (a) receive a wager for a play of a
wagering game, said play of said wagering game having a first
average expected payout; (b) for said play of the wagering game:
(i) generate and display a symbol combination from a plurality of
symbols; (ii) determine whether said generated and displayed symbol
combination forms a designated winning symbol combination; and
(iii) provide any awards associated with any formed designated
winning symbol combinations; (c) display a persistence game
arrangement having a plurality of symbol positions; (d) for a play
of a persistence game associated with a plurality of plays of the
wagering game, determine whether to accumulate a symbol associated
with said generated and displayed symbol combination, said play of
said persistence game having a different second average expected
payout; (e) if the determination is to accumulate the symbol
associated with said generated and displayed symbol combination:
(i) determine whether each of the symbol positions of the
persistence game arrangement is occupied with one of the plurality
of symbols; (ii) if each of the symbol positions of the persistence
game arrangement is occupied, remove at least one of said symbols
from at least one of said plurality of symbol positions of the
persistence game arrangement; and (iii) after removing at least one
of said symbols or if at least one of said symbol positions of the
persistence game arrangement is unoccupied, accumulate said symbol
associated with said generated and displayed symbol combination and
cause the persistence game arrangement to display said accumulated
symbol; and (f) upon a persistence game symbol evaluation
triggering event: (i) determine whether any symbols displayed by
the persistence game arrangement form any designated winning symbol
combinations; and (ii) provide any awards associated with any
formed designated winning symbol combinations.
6. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to, for the play of the persistence game,
accumulate each of the symbols that form any designated winning
symbol combination for the play of the wagering game.
7. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein the symbol which is
associated with said generated and displayed symbol combination
includes one of the plurality of symbols of the generated and
displayed symbol combination.
8. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to, for the play of the persistence game,
determine whether to accumulate a plurality of symbols associated
with said generated and displayed symbol combination.
9. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to: (a) for said play of the wagering game,
determine whether said generated and displayed symbol combination
forms the designated winning symbol combination based on a first
paytable having the first average expected payout; and (b) for said
play of the persistence game, determine whether any accumulated and
displayed symbols form any designated winning symbol combinations
based on a different second paytable having the second average
expected payout.
10. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, for the play of the persistence game, the
plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to
modify any awards by at least one modifier.
11. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to: (a) for said play of the wagering game,
determine whether said generated and displayed symbol combination
forms the designated winning symbol combination based on a first
type of symbol evaluation; and (b) for said play of the persistence
game, determine whether any accumulated and displayed symbols form
any designated winning symbol combinations based on a different,
second type of symbol evaluation.
12. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, plurality of instructions cause the at least
one processor to, after any awards are provided for the persistence
game, cause the accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence
game arrangement to remain accumulated for a subsequent play of the
persistence game.
13. A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at
least one input device; at least one processor; and at least one
memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when
executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one
processor to operate with the at least one display device and the
at least one input device to: (a) for a first play of a game: (i)
generate and display a first set of symbols from a plurality of
symbols; (ii) determine whether to accumulate a symbol associated
with said first set of symbols; and (iii) if the determination is
to accumulate the symbol associated with said first set of symbols,
separate from the display of said first set of symbols, accumulate
and display the symbol associated with said first set of symbols in
association with a persistence game; and (b) for a subsequent play
of the game: (i) generate and display a second set of symbols from
the plurality of symbols; and (ii) upon a random occurrence of a
persistence game symbol utilization triggering event: (A)
automatically replace a symbol of the second set with an
accumulated and displayed symbol to form a third set of displayed
symbols; (B) determine whether said third set of displayed symbols
form any designated winning symbol combinations; and (C) provide
any awards associated with any formed designated winning symbol
combinations.
14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the game includes a base
game.
15. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the game includes a
bonus game.
16. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to determine whether to accumulate a plurality
of symbols associated with said first set of symbols.
17. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to, for the subsequent play of the game, upon
the persistence game symbol utilization triggering event, replace a
plurality of symbols of the second set with a plurality of
accumulated and displayed symbols to form a third set of displayed
symbols.
18. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to cause a persistence game arrangement to
display said accumulated symbol.
19. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein said persistence game
arrangement includes a plurality of sets of symbol positions.
20. The gaming system of claim 19, wherein the persistence game
symbol utilization triggering event is based on whether at least
one of the sets of symbol positions has accumulated a maximum
quantity of accumulated symbols.
21. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein for the first play of
the game, said accumulated symbol is different from each of said
generated symbols.
22. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein for the first play of
the game, said accumulated symbol includes one of said generated
symbols.
23. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to: (a) for said first play of the game,
determine whether said first set of symbols form any designated
winning symbol combinations based on a first paytable having a
first average expected payout; and (b) for said subsequent play of
the game, determine whether said third set of symbols form any
designated winning symbol combinations based on a different second
paytable having a second average expected payout.
24. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to: (a) for said first play of the game,
determine whether said first set of symbols form any designated
winning symbol combinations based on a first type of symbol
evaluation; and (b) for said subsequent play of the game, determine
whether said third set of symbols form any designated winning
symbol combinations based on a different, second type of symbol
evaluation.
25. A gaming system comprising: at least one display device; at
least one input device; at least one processor; and at least one
memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when
executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one
processor to operate with the at least one display device and the
at least one input device to: (a) for a first play of a base game
upon a wager: (i) generate and display a first set of symbols from
a plurality of symbols; and (ii) accumulate a symbol associated
with said first set of symbols; (b) for a first play of a bonus
game: (i) generate and display a second set of symbols from the
plurality of symbols; and (ii) accumulate a symbol associated with
said second set of symbols; (c) in response to a persistence game
symbol utilization triggering event randomly occurring in
association with a subsequent play of the base game: (i)
automatically replace a symbol generated for the subsequent play of
the base game with one of the accumulated symbols to form a third
set of symbols; (ii) determine whether said third set of symbols
form any designated winning symbol combinations; and (iii) provide
any awards associated with any formed designated winning symbol
combinations; and (d) in response to the persistence game symbol
utilization triggering event randomly occurring in association with
a subsequent play of the bonus game: (i) automatically replace a
symbol generated for the play of the subsequent bonus game with one
of the accumulated symbols to form a fourth set of symbols; (ii)
determine whether said fourth set of symbols form any designated
winning symbol combinations; and (iii) provide any awards
associated with any formed designated winning symbol
combinations.
26. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to cause a persistence game arrangement to
display said accumulated symbols.
27. The gaming system of claim 26, wherein said persistence game
arrangement includes a plurality of sets of symbol positions.
28. The gaming system of claim 27, wherein the persistence game
symbol utilization triggering event is based on whether at least
one of the sets of symbol positions has accumulated a maximum
quantity of accumulated symbols.
29. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein for the first play of
the base game, said accumulated symbol is different from each of
said generated symbols.
30. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein for the first play of
the bonus game, said accumulated symbol is different from said
accumulated symbol from the first play of the base game.
31. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to: (a) for said first play of the base game,
determine whether said first set of symbols form any designated
winning symbol combinations based on a first paytable having a
first average expected payout; and (b) for said subsequent play of
the base game, determine whether said third set of symbols form any
designated winning symbol combinations based on a different second
paytable having a second average expected payout.
32. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein when executed by the at
least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at
least one processor to: (a) for said first play of the base game,
determine whether said first set of symbols form any designated
winning symbol combinations based on a first type of symbol
evaluation; and (b) for said subsequent play of the base game,
determine whether said third set of symbols form any designated
winning symbol combinations based on a different, second type of
symbol evaluation.
Description
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may
contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The
copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by
anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly
the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file
or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights
whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
Gaming machines which provide players awards in primary or base
games are well known. Gaming machines generally require the player
to place or make a wager to activate the primary or base game. In
many of these gaming machines, the award is based on the player
obtaining a winning symbol or symbol combination and on the amount
of the wager (e.g., the higher the wager, the higher the award).
Symbols or symbol combinations which are less likely to occur
usually provide higher awards.
Secondary or bonus games are also known in gaming machines. The
secondary or bonus games usually provide an additional award to the
player. Secondary or bonus games usually do not require an
additional wager by the player to be activated. Certain secondary
or bonus games are activated or triggered upon an occurrence of a
designated triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination in
the primary or base game. For instance, a bonus symbol occurring on
the payline on the third reel of a three reel slot machine may
trigger the secondary bonus game. When a secondary or bonus game is
triggered, the gaming machines generally indicates this to the
player through one or more visual and/or audio output devices, such
as the reels, lights, speakers, video screens, etc. Part of the
enjoyment and excitement of playing certain gaming machines is the
occurrence or triggering of the secondary or bonus game (even
before the player knows how much the bonus award will be).
Certain known secondary games are played over the course of a
number of plays of the primary or base game. Such secondary games
provide one or more players an award for their persistence in
playing the gaming machine for a prolonged number of plays or
period of time. In these persistence or persistence-type secondary
games, in association with one or more plays of the primary game, a
portion of the secondary game is played or at least one secondary
game element is provided to the player. After that player (or a
different player currently playing at the gaming terminal) has
obtained a designated number of secondary game elements (or
advanced to the secondary game a designated number of times), these
gaming machines provide a secondary game award to the player
currently playing the gaming machine. The provided secondary game
award is based on the plurality of obtained secondary game elements
(or the plurality of plays of the secondary game) which randomly
occur based on triggering events associated with the plurality of
plays of the primary game.
To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to
provide players with new types of gaming devices that attract the
player and keep the player entertained. Accordingly, a need exists
for the further development of gaming devices.
SUMMARY
In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device and method
disclosed herein employs a symbol accumulation sequence and a
symbol evaluation sequence. The symbol accumulation sequence
includes an accumulation of a plurality of symbols in association
with a persistence game. The symbol accumulation sequence also
includes the maintenance of a persistence game arrangement or
matrix that displays a designated quantity of accumulated symbols.
Such maintenance of the persistence game arrangement includes, in
certain instances, removing at least one previously accumulated
symbol from the persistence game arrangement to enable the gaming
system to cause the persistence game arrangement to accumulate and
display a newly generated symbol. The symbol evaluation sequence
includes an evaluation of at least some of the previously
accumulated symbols to determine an award. In one embodiment, the
symbol evaluation sequence includes the gaming system determining
and providing an award based on the accumulated symbols of the
persistence game. In another embodiment, the symbol evaluation
sequence includes the gaming system determining and providing an
award based on at least one of the accumulated symbols of the
persistence game and at least one symbol generated for a current
play of a wagering game. Accordingly, the gaming system disclosed
herein utilizes symbols generated for a plurality of wagering games
in a persistence game to determine an award for the persistence
game in one embodiment and an award for a wagering game in another
embodiment.
Specifically, in one embodiment, the gaming system generates a
plurality of symbols for each of a plurality of plays of a wagering
game. For each of the plays of the wagering game, the gaming system
determines whether the generated symbols form any winning symbol
combinations and provides any awards associated with any formed
winning symbol combinations. As part of the symbol accumulation
sequence, after each play of the wagering game, the gaming system
determines whether to accumulate and display any symbols from the
wagering game for an ongoing persistence game. In one embodiment,
if the gaming system determines to accumulate symbols from the
wagering game, the gaming system causes the persistence game
arrangement to accumulate and display generated symbols from the
wagering game. In another embodiment, if the gaming system
determines to accumulate symbols for the persistence game, the
gaming system causes the persistence game arrangement to accumulate
and display symbols which are associated with generated symbols
from the wagering game, such as higher valued symbols. That is, in
association with the persistence game, the gaming system collects
symbols that are associated with or related to, but different from
the symbols generated for the play of the wagering game.
In one embodiment, the persistence game arrangement has a
designated quantity of symbol positions. In this embodiment, if the
gaming system determines to accumulate a currently generated symbol
from a play of a wagering game, the gaming system determines
whether each of the symbol positions of the persistence game
arrangement includes a previously generated symbol (i.e., is the
persistence game arrangement full). If the gaming system determines
that each of the symbol positions of the persistence game
arrangement includes a previously generated symbol, the gaming
system removes at least one symbol from the persistence game
arrangement. After removing at least one symbol from the
persistence game arrangement or if the gaming system determines
that at least one symbol position of the persistence game
arrangement is unoccupied, the gaming system causes the persistence
game arrangement to display the currently generated symbol from the
wagering game. In other words, if the persistence game arrangement
is at a maximum capacity of accumulated symbols when the gaming
system accumulates additional symbols generated from the wagering
game, the symbol accumulation sequence includes the removal of
previously accumulated symbols already displayed by the persistence
game arrangement to create an area for the additionally generated
symbols.
In one embodiment, as part of the symbol evaluation sequence, upon
a suitable triggering event, the gaming system automatically
evaluates accumulated symbols of the persistence game based on a
different type of symbol evaluation from the type of symbol
evaluation utilized to determine whether the generated symbols for
the wagering game form any winning symbol combinations. In another
embodiment, the gaming system determines an award based on the
accumulated symbols by applying a modifier, such as a multiplier.
In another embodiment, wherein the gaming system collects symbols
that are related to symbols generated (as described above), the
gaming system evaluates the related symbols to determine an
award.
In another embodiment, as part of the symbol evaluation sequence,
upon a suitable triggering event, such as if any individual sets of
symbol positions of the persistence game arrangement (i.e., a
column or row of the persistence game arrangement) is at a maximum
capacity of accumulated symbols, the gaming system automatically
replaces generated symbols from the wagering game with accumulated
symbols from the persistence game arrangement. In this embodiment,
the gaming system determines an award by evaluating certain
generated symbols for the play of the wagering game in combination
with the accumulated symbols that replaced the generated symbols
from the wagering game. In other words, the gaming system
determines an award based on at least one previously generated
symbol and at least one currently generated symbol.
In one embodiment, the suitable trigging event occurs in
association with a play of a wagering game or in association with a
play of a bonus game. In other words, the accumulated symbols
displayed by the persistence game arrangement can be utilized in
either one or both a wagering game or a bonus game. This embodiment
enables interaction with either one or both of the wagering game
and the bonus game by utilizing symbols accumulated in association
with the play of a wagering game or bonus game. By providing a
persistence game which interacts with a wagering game and bonus
game by accumulating and utilizing symbols in either the wagering
game or the bonus game, the gaming system provides a greater level
of excitement and enjoyment in playing the gaming system and method
disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, after the gaming system provides an award for
the persistence game, the gaming system does not reset the
accumulated symbols of the persistence game arrangement. That is,
the accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement remain available for use in a future play of the
persistence game even after the gaming system provides an award
based on those accumulated symbols. In another embodiment, after
the gaming system provides an award for the persistence game, the
gaming system resets or changes the accumulated symbols already
displayed by the persistence game arrangement. In another
embodiment, after the occurrence of the triggering event, the
gaming system resets or changes the accumulated symbols already
displayed by the persistence game arrangement even if the gaming
system does not provide an award for the persistence game.
Accordingly, this embodiment enables a player to view symbols that
are previously generated for plays of a wagering game but will also
be evaluated in the future to determine an award for the
persistence game. That is, the gaming system disclosed herein
enables a player to view a possible future outcome of a persistence
game by displaying the symbols that will be utilized for the
persistence game upon a triggering event. It should be appreciated
that when the gaming system displays high value symbols that will
be utilized for the persistence game upon a triggering event, the
gaming system provides an increased level of excitement because
these high value symbols would provide higher awards than low value
symbols.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are
described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed
Description of the Invention and the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1A is a front-side perspective view of one embodiment of the
gaming device disclosed herein.
FIG. 1B is a front-side perspective view of another embodiment of
the gaming device disclosed herein.
FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of the electronic
configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device disclosed
herein.
FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a plurality of
gaming terminals in communication with a central controller.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one embodiment of the gaming system
disclosed herein illustrating an example of providing an award for
the persistence game based on the collected symbols of the
persistence game after the occurrence of a persistence game symbol
evaluation trigger event.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F and 4G are diagrammatic front views of
one embodiment of a display device of a gaming system disclosed
herein illustrating providing an award for the persistence game
based on collected generated symbols that are displayed by a
persistence game arrangement, wherein the determined award is based
on a type of symbol evaluation different from the wagering
game.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of one embodiment of the gaming system
disclosed herein illustrating an example providing an award based
on the collected symbols of the persistence game and the symbols
generated for a current play of a game.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of one embodiment of the gaming system
disclosed herein illustrating an example of the persistence game
interacting with a wagering game or bonus game and providing an
award based on the collected symbols of the persistence game and
the symbols generated for a current play of a wagering game or a
bonus game.
FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F, 7G, 7H, 7I, 7J and 7K are
diagrammatic front views of one embodiment of a display device of a
gaming system disclosed herein illustrating accumulating generated
symbols in association with a play of a wagering game or a bonus
game and, upon a persistence game symbol utilization trigger event,
providing an award based on collected generated symbols and symbols
currently generated for a play of a wagering game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure may be implemented in various configurations
for gaming machines, gaming devices, or gaming systems, including
but not limited to: (1) a dedicated gaming machine, gaming device,
or gaming system wherein the computerized instructions for
controlling any games (which are provided by the gaming machine or
gaming device) are provided with the gaming machine or gaming
device prior to delivery to a gaming establishment; and (2) a
changeable gaming machine, gaming device, or gaming system wherein
the computerized instructions for controlling any games (which are
provided by the gaming machine or gaming device) are downloadable
to the gaming machine or gaming device through a data network after
the gaming machine or gaming device is in a gaming establishment.
In one embodiment, the computerized instructions for controlling
any games are executed by at least one central server, central
controller, or remote host. In such a "thin client" embodiment, the
central server remotely controls any games (or other suitable
interfaces) and the gaming device is utilized to display such games
(or suitable interfaces) and receive one or more inputs or commands
from a player. In another embodiment, the computerized instructions
for controlling any games are communicated from the central server,
central controller, or remote host to a gaming device local
processor and memory devices. In such a "thick client" embodiment,
the gaming device local processor executes the communicated
computerized instructions to control any games (or other suitable
interfaces) provided to a player.
In one embodiment, one or more gaming devices in a gaming system
may be thin client gaming devices and one or more gaming devices in
the gaming system may be thick client gaming devices. In another
embodiment, certain functions of the gaming device are implemented
in a thin client environment and certain other functions of the
gaming device are implemented in a thick client environment. In one
such embodiment, computerized instructions for controlling any
primary games are communicated from the central server to the
gaming device in a thick client configuration and computerized
instructions for controlling any secondary games or bonus functions
are executed by a central server in a thin client
configuration.
Referring now to the drawings, two example alternative embodiments
of a gaming device disclosed herein are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and
1B as gaming device 10a and gaming device 10b, respectively. Gaming
device 10a and/or gaming device 10b are generally referred to
herein as gaming device 10.
In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10
has a support structure, housing, or cabinet which provides support
for a plurality of displays, inputs, controls, and other features
of a conventional gaming machine. It is configured so that a player
can operate it while standing or sitting. The gaming device can be
positioned on a base or stand or can be configured as a pub-style
table-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably
while sitting. As illustrated by the different configurations shown
in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the gaming device may have varying cabinet and
display configurations.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming device
preferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a
microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable
integrated circuit or one or more application-specific integrated
circuits (ASIC's). The processor is in communication with or
operable to access or to exchange signals with at least one data
storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment, the processor and
the memory device reside within the cabinet of the gaming device.
The memory device stores program code and instructions, executable
by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memory device
also stores other data such as image data, event data, player input
data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or
information, and applicable game rules that relate to the play of
the gaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device includes
random access memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM
(NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and other
forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry. In one
embodiment, the memory device includes read only memory (ROM). In
one embodiment, the memory device includes flash memory and/or
EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). Any
other suitable magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor memory may
operate in conjunction with the gaming device disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or operating
data described above can be stored in a detachable or removable
memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable cartridge,
disk, CD ROM, DVD, or USB memory device. In other embodiments, part
or all of the program code and/or operating data described above
can be downloaded to the memory device through a suitable
network.
In one embodiment, an operator or a player can use such a removable
memory device in a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a hand-held
device, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable
computing or mobile device, or another computerized platform to
implement the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the gaming
device or gaming machine disclosed herein is operable over a
wireless network, for example as part of a wireless gaming system.
In one such embodiment, the gaming machine may be a hand-held
device, a mobile device, or any other suitable wireless device that
enables a player to play any suitable game at a variety of
different locations. In various embodiments in which the gaming
device or gaming machine is a hand-held device, a mobile device, or
any other suitable wireless device, at least one memory device and
at least one processor which control the game or other operations
of the hand-held device, mobile device, or other suitable wireless
device may be located: (a) at the hand-held device, mobile device
or other suitable wireless device; (b) at a central server or
central controller; or (c) any suitable combination of the central
server or central controller and the hand-held device, mobile
device or other suitable wireless device. It should be appreciated
that a gaming device or gaming machine as disclosed herein may be a
device that has obtained approval from a regulatory gaming
commission or a device that has not obtained approval from a
regulatory gaming commission. It should be appreciated that the
processor and memory device may be collectively referred to herein
as a "computer" or "controller."
In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the gaming
device randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes based
on probability data. In one such embodiment, this random
determination is provided through utilization of a random number
generator (RNG), such as a true random number generator, a pseudo
random number generator, or other suitable randomization process.
In one embodiment, each award or other game outcome is associated
with a probability and the gaming device generates the award or
other game outcome to be provided to the player based on the
associated probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming
device generates outcomes randomly or based upon one or more
probability calculations, there is no certainty that the gaming
device will ever provide the player with any specific award or
other game outcome.
In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the
gaming device employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of
awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or
other game outcome is provided to the player, the gaming device
flags or removes the provided award or other game outcome from the
predetermined set or pool. Once flagged or removed from the set or
pool, the specific provided award or other game outcome from that
specific pool cannot be provided to the player again. This type of
gaming device provides players with all of the available awards or
other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and
guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses.
In another embodiment, as discussed below, upon a player initiating
game play at the gaming device, the gaming device enrolls in a
bingo game. In this embodiment, a bingo server calls the bingo
balls that result in a specific bingo game outcome. The resultant
game outcome is communicated to the individual gaming device to be
provided to a player. In one embodiment, this bingo outcome is
displayed to the player as a bingo game and/or in any form in
accordance with the present disclosure.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming device
includes one or more display devices controlled by the processor.
The display devices are preferably connected to or mounted on the
cabinet of the gaming device. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A
includes a central display device 16 which displays a primary game.
This display device may also display any suitable secondary game
associated with the primary game as well as information relating to
the primary or secondary game. The alternative embodiment shown in
FIG. 1B includes a central display device 16 and an upper display
device 18. The upper display device may display the primary game,
any suitable secondary game associated or not associated with the
primary game and/or information relating to the primary or
secondary game. These display devices may also serve as digital
glass operable to advertise games or other aspects of the gaming
establishment. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, the
gaming device includes a credit display 20 which displays a
player's current number of credits, cash, account balance, or the
equivalent. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a bet
display 22 which displays a player's amount wagered. In one
embodiment, as described in more detail below, the gaming device
includes a player tracking display 40 which displays information
regarding a player's play tracking status.
In another embodiment, at least one display device may be a mobile
display device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that enables play of at
least a portion of the primary or secondary game at a location
remote from the gaming device.
The display devices may include, without limitation, a monitor, a
television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal display
(LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LEDs), a display
based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), a
display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), a display
based on a plurality of surface-conduction electron-emitters
(SEDs), a display including a projected and/or reflected image, or
any other suitable electronic device or display mechanism. In one
embodiment, as described in more detail below, the display device
includes a touch-screen with an associated touch-screen controller.
The display devices may be of any suitable size and configuration,
such as a square, a rectangle or an elongated rectangle.
The display devices of the gaming device are configured to display
at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other suitable
images, symbols and indicia such as any visual representation or
exhibition of the movement of objects such as mechanical, virtual,
or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting, video images, images
of people, characters, places, things, faces of cards, and the
like.
In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and indicia
displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical form.
That is, the display device may include any electromechanical
device, such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more
rotatable wheels, reels, or dice, configured to display at least
one or a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or
indicia.
As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming device
includes at least one payment device 24 in communication with the
processor. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a payment device such as a
payment acceptor includes a note, ticket or bill acceptor 28
wherein the player inserts paper money, a ticket, or voucher and a
coin slot 26 where the player inserts money, coins, or tokens. In
other embodiments, payment devices such as readers or validators
for credit cards, debit cards or credit slips may accept payment.
In one embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into
a card reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the
identification card is a smart card having a programmed microchip,
a coded magnetic strip or coded rewritable magnetic strip, wherein
the programmed microchip or magnetic strips are coded with a
player's identification, credit totals (or related data), and/or
other relevant information. In another embodiment, a player may
carry a portable device, such as a cell phone, a radio frequency
identification tag, or any other suitable wireless device, which
communicates a player's identification, credit totals (or related
data), and other relevant information to the gaming device. In one
embodiment, money may be transferred to a gaming device through
electronic funds transfer. When a player funds the gaming device,
the processor determines the amount of funds entered and displays
the corresponding amount on the credit or other suitable display as
described above.
As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2A, in one embodiment the gaming
device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of input
devices 30 in communication with the processor. The input devices
can include any suitable device which enables the player to produce
an input signal which is received by the processor. In one
embodiment, after appropriate funding of the gaming device, the
input device is a game activation device, such as a play button 32
or a pull arm (not shown) which is used by the player to start any
primary game or sequence of events in the gaming device. The play
button can be any suitable play activator such as a bet one button,
a max bet button, or a repeat the bet button. In one embodiment,
upon appropriate funding, the gaming device begins the game play
automatically. In another embodiment, upon the player engaging one
of the play buttons, the gaming device automatically activates game
play.
In one embodiment, one input device is a bet one button. The player
places a bet by pushing the bet one button. The player can increase
the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet one
button. When the player pushes the bet one button, the number of
credits shown in the credit display preferably decreases by one,
and the number of credits shown in the bet display preferably
increases by one. In another embodiment, one input device is a bet
max button (not shown) which enables the player to bet the maximum
wager permitted for a game of the gaming device.
In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 34. The
player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a cash
payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the
number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player
cashes out, a payment device, such as a ticket, payment, or note
generator 36 prints or otherwise generates a ticket or credit slip
to provide to the player. The player receives the ticket or credit
slip and may redeem the value associated with the ticket or credit
slip via a cashier (or other suitable redemption system). In
another embodiment, when the player cashes out, the player receives
the coins or tokens in a coin payout tray. It should be appreciated
that any suitable payout mechanisms, such as funding to the
player's electronically recordable identification card or smart
card, may be implemented in accordance with the gaming device
disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, as mentioned above and as seen in FIG. 2A, one
input device is a touch-screen 42 coupled with a touch-screen
controller 44 or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to
allow for player interaction with the images on the display. The
touch-screen and the touch-screen controller are connected to a
video controller 46. A player can make decisions and input signals
into the gaming device by touching the touch-screen at the
appropriate locations. One such input device is a conventional
touch-screen button panel.
The gaming device may further include a plurality of communication
ports for enabling communication of the processor with external
peripherals, such as external video sources, expansion buses, game
or other displays, a SCSI port, or a keypad.
In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includes a
sound generating device controlled by one or more sounds cards 48
which function in conjunction with the processor. In one
embodiment, the sound generating device includes at least one and
preferably a plurality of speakers 50 or other sound generating
hardware and/or software for generating sounds, such as by playing
music for the primary and/or secondary game or by playing music for
other modes of the gaming device, such as an attract mode. In one
embodiment, the gaming device provides dynamic sounds coupled with
attractive multimedia images displayed on one or more of the
display devices to provide an audio-visual representation or to
otherwise display full-motion video with sound to attract players
to the gaming device. During idle periods, the gaming device may
display a sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to
attract potential players to the gaming device. The videos may also
be customized to provide any appropriate information.
In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor, such as
a camera, in communication with the processor (and possibly
controlled by the processor), that is selectively positioned to
acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device
and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one
embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire
still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to
acquire the images in an analog, digital, or other suitable format.
The display devices may be configured to display the image acquired
by the camera as well as to display the visible manifestation of
the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For
example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and the
processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or
secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering game as the
primary or base game. The gaming machine or device may include some
or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices.
The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game,
card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number game, or other
game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or
electromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a random
outcome based on probability data at the time of or after placement
of a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as
video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo
or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a base or
primary game may be a slot game with one or more paylines 52. The
paylines may be horizontal, vertical, circular, diagonal, angled or
any combination thereof. In this embodiment, the gaming device
includes at least one and preferably a plurality of reels 54, such
as three to five reels 54, in either electromechanical form with
mechanical rotating reels or video form with simulated reels and
movement thereof. In one embodiment, an electromechanical slot
machine includes a plurality of adjacent, rotatable reels which may
be combined and operably coupled with an electronic display of any
suitable type. In another embodiment, if the reels 54 are in video
form, one or more of the display devices, as described above,
displays the plurality of simulated video reels 54. Each reel 54
displays a plurality of indicia or symbols, such as bells, hearts,
fruits, numbers, letters, bars, or other images which preferably
correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device. In another
embodiment, one or more of the reels are independent reels or
unisymbol reels. In this embodiment, each independent or unisymbol
reel generates and displays one symbol to the player. In one
embodiment, the gaming device awards prizes after the reels of the
primary game stop spinning if specified types and/or configurations
of indicia or symbols occur on an active payline or otherwise occur
in a winning pattern, occur on the requisite number of adjacent
reels and/or occur in a scatter pay arrangement.
In an alternative embodiment, rather than determining any outcome
to provide to the player by analyzing the symbols generated on any
wagered upon paylines as described above, the gaming device
determines any outcome to provide to the player based on the number
of associated symbols which are generated in active symbol
positions on the requisite number of adjacent reels (i.e., not on
paylines passing through any displayed winning symbol
combinations). In this embodiment, if a winning symbol combination
is generated on the reels, the gaming device provides the player
one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbol
combination. For example, if one winning symbol combination is
generated on the reels, the gaming device will provide a single
award to the player for that winning symbol combination (i.e., not
based on the number of paylines that would have passed through that
winning symbol combination). It should be appreciated that because
a gaming device that enables wagering on ways to win provides the
player one award for a single occurrence of a winning symbol
combination and a gaming device with paylines may provide the
player more than one award for the same occurrence of a single
winning symbol combination (i.e., if a plurality of paylines each
pass through the same winning symbol combination), it is possible
to provide a player at a ways to win gaming device with more ways
to win for an equivalent bet or wager on a traditional slot gaming
device with paylines.
In one embodiment, the total number of ways to win is determined by
multiplying the number of symbols generated in active symbol
positions on a first reel by the number of symbols generated in
active symbol positions on a second reel by the number of symbols
generated in active symbol positions on a third reel and so on for
each reel of the gaming device with at least one symbol generated
in an active symbol position. For example, a three reel gaming
device with three symbols generated in active symbol positions on
each reel includes 27 ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first
reel.times.3 symbols on the second reel.times.3 symbols on the
third reel). A four reel gaming device with three symbols generated
in active symbol positions on each reel includes 81 ways to win
(i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the second
reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.3 symbols on the
fourth reel). A five reel gaming device with three symbols
generated in active symbol positions on each reel includes 243 ways
to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the
second reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.3 symbols on
the fourth reel.times.3 symbols on the fifth reel). It should be
appreciated that modifying the number of generated symbols by
either modifying the number of reels or modifying the number of
symbols generated in active symbol positions by one or more of the
reels modifies the number of ways to win.
In another embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to wager
on and thus activate symbol positions. In one such embodiment, the
symbol positions are on the reels. In this embodiment, if based on
the player's wager, a reel is activated, then each of the symbol
positions of that reel will be activated and each of the active
symbol positions will be part of one or more of the ways to win. In
one embodiment, if based on the player's wager, a reel is not
activated, then a designated number of default symbol positions,
such as a single symbol position of the middle row of the reel,
will be activated and the default symbol position(s) will be part
of one or more of the ways to win. This type of gaming machine
enables a player to wager on one, more than one or all of the reels
and the processor of the gaming device uses the number of wagered
on reels to determine the active symbol positions and the number of
possible ways to win. In alternative embodiments, (1) no symbols
are displayed as generated at any of the inactive symbol positions,
or (2) any symbols generated at any inactive symbol positions may
be displayed to the player but suitably shaded or otherwise
designated as inactive.
In one embodiment wherein a player wagers on one or more reels, a
player's wager of one credit may activate each of the three symbol
positions on a first reel, wherein one default symbol position is
activated on each of the remaining four reels. In this example, as
described above, the gaming device provides the player three ways
to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.1 symbol on the
second reel.times.1 symbol on the third reel.times.1 symbol on the
fourth reel.times.1 symbol on the fifth reel). In another example,
a player's wager of nine credits may activate each of the three
symbol positions on a first reel, each of the three symbol
positions on a second reel and each of the three symbol positions
on a third reel wherein one default symbol position is activated on
each of the remaining two reels. In this example, as described
above, the gaming device provides the player twenty-seven ways to
win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the
second reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.1 symbol on the
fourth reel.times.1 symbol on the fifth reel).
In one embodiment, to determine any award(s) to provide to the
player based on the generated symbols, the gaming device
individually determines if a symbol generated in an active symbol
position on a first reel forms part of a winning symbol combination
with or is otherwise suitably related to a symbol generated in an
active symbol position on a second reel. In this embodiment, the
gaming device classifies each pair of symbols which form part of a
winning symbol combination (i.e., each pair of related symbols) as
a string of related symbols. For example, if active symbol
positions include a first cherry symbol generated in the top row of
a first reel and a second cherry symbol generated in the bottom row
of a second reel, the gaming device classifies the two cherry
symbols as a string of related symbols because the two cherry
symbols form part of a winning symbol combination.
After determining if any strings of related symbols are formed
between the symbols on the first reel and the symbols on the second
reel, the gaming device determines if any of the symbols from the
next adjacent reel should be added to any of the formed strings of
related symbols. In this embodiment, for a first of the classified
strings of related symbols, the gaming device determines if any of
the symbols generated by the next adjacent reel form part of a
winning symbol combination or are otherwise related to the symbols
of the first string of related symbols. If the gaming device
determines that a symbol generated on the next adjacent reel is
related to the symbols of the first string of related symbols, that
symbol is subsequently added to the first string of related
symbols. For example, if the first string of related symbols is the
string of related cherry symbols and a related cherry symbol is
generated in the middle row of the third reel, the gaming device
adds the related cherry symbol generated on the third reel to the
previously classified string of cherry symbols.
On the other hand, if the gaming device determines that no symbols
generated on the next adjacent reel are related to the symbols of
the first string of related symbols, the gaming device marks or
flags such string of related symbols as complete. For example, if
the first string of related symbols is the string of related cherry
symbols and none of the symbols of the third reel are related to
the cherry symbols of the previously classified string of cherry
symbols, the gaming device marks or flags the string of two cherry
symbols as complete.
After either adding a related symbol to the first string of related
symbols or marking the first string of related symbols as complete,
the gaming device proceeds as described above for each of the
remaining classified strings of related symbols which were
previously classified or formed from related symbols on the first
and second reels.
After analyzing each of the remaining strings of related symbols,
the gaming device determines, for each remaining pending or
incomplete string of related symbols, if any of the symbols from
the next adjacent reel, if any, should be added to any of the
previously classified strings of related symbols. This process
continues until either each string of related symbols is complete
or there are no more adjacent reels of symbols to analyze. In this
embodiment, where there are no more adjacent reels of symbols to
analyze, the gaming device marks each of the remaining pending
strings of related symbols as complete.
When each of the strings of related symbols is marked complete, the
gaming device compares each of the strings of related symbols to an
appropriate paytable and provides the player any award associated
with each of the completed strings of symbols. It should be
appreciated that the player is provided one award, if any, for each
string of related symbols generated in active symbol positions
(i.e., as opposed to a quantity of awards being based on how many
paylines that would have passed through each of the strings of
related symbols in active symbol positions).
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker game
wherein the gaming device enables the player to play a conventional
game of video draw poker and initially deals five cards all face up
from a virtual deck of fifty-two cards. Cards may be dealt as in a
traditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, the
cards may be randomly selected from a predetermined number of
cards. If the player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards
to hold via one or more input devices, such as by pressing related
hold buttons or via the touch screen. The player then presses the
deal button and the unwanted or discarded cards are removed from
the display and the gaming machine deals the replacement cards from
the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a final five-card
hand. The gaming device compares the final five-card hand to a
payout table which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to
determine the winning hands. The gaming device provides the player
with an award based on a winning hand and the number of credits the
player wagered.
In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a multi-hand
version of video poker. In this embodiment, the gaming device deals
the player at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the
cards are the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is
associated with its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards
to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are
also held in the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards
are removed from each hand displayed and for each hand replacement
cards are randomly dealt into that hand. Since the replacement
cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the
replacement cards for each hand will usually be different. The
poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand against a
payout table and awards are provided to the player.
In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game
wherein the gaming device displays a plurality of selectable
indicia or numbers on at least one of the display devices. In this
embodiment, the player selects at least one bit potentially a
plurality of the selectable indicia or numbers via an input device
such as a touch screen. The gaming device then displays a series of
drawn numbers and determine an amount of matches, if any, between
the player's selected numbers and the gaming device's drawn
numbers. The player is provided an award based on the amount of
matches, if any, based on the amount of determined matches and the
number of numbers drawn.
In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits or other awards
in a base or primary game, the gaming device may also give players
the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game or in a
bonus or secondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables the
player to obtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or
payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game. In general,
a bonus or secondary game produces a significantly higher level of
player excitement than the base or primary game because it provides
a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary game, and
is accompanied with more attractive or unusual features than the
base or primary game. In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary
game may be any type of suitable game, either similar to or
completely different from the base or primary game.
In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying condition may
be a selected outcome in the primary game or a particular
arrangement of one or more indicia on a display device in the
primary game, such as the number seven appearing on three adjacent
reels along a payline in the primary slot game embodiment seen in
FIGS. 1A and 1B. In other embodiments, the triggering event or
qualifying condition occurs based on exceeding a certain amount of
game play (such as number of games, number of credits, amount of
time), or reaching a specified number of points earned during game
play.
In another embodiment, the gaming device processor 12 or central
controller 56 randomly provides the player one or more plays of one
or more secondary games. In one such embodiment, the gaming device
does not provide any apparent reason to the player for qualifying
to play a secondary or bonus game. In this embodiment, qualifying
for a bonus game is not triggered by an event in or based
specifically on any of the plays of any primary game. That is, the
gaming device may simply qualify a player to play a secondary game
without any explanation or alternatively with simple explanations.
In another embodiment, the gaming device (or central server)
qualifies a player for a secondary game at least partially based on
a game triggered or symbol triggered event, such as at least
partially based on the play of a primary game.
In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program which will
automatically begin a bonus round after the player has achieved a
triggering event or qualifying condition in the base or primary
game. In another embodiment, after a player has qualified for a
bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance his/her bonus game
participation through continued play on the base or primary game.
Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus symbol, that
the player obtains, a given number of bonus game wagering points or
credits may be accumulated in a "bonus meter" programmed to accrue
the bonus wagering credits or entries toward eventual participation
in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple such bonus qualifying
events in the primary game may result in an arithmetic or
exponential increase in the number of bonus wagering credits
awarded. In one embodiment, the player may redeem extra bonus
wagering credits during the bonus game to extend play of the bonus
game.
In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy-in for a bonus game
is needed. That is, a player may not purchase entry into a bonus
game; rather they must win or earn entry through play of the
primary game, thus encouraging play of the primary game. In another
embodiment, qualification of the bonus or secondary game is
accomplished through a simple "buy-in" by the player--for example,
if the player has been unsuccessful at qualifying through other
specified activities. In another embodiment, the player must make a
separate side-wager on the bonus game or wager a designated amount
in the primary game to qualify for the secondary game. In this
embodiment, the secondary game triggering event must occur and the
side-wager (or designated primary game wager amount) must have been
placed to trigger the secondary game.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, one or more of the
gaming devices 10 are in communication with each other and/or at
least one central controller 56 through a data network or remote
communication link 58. In this embodiment, the central server,
central controller or remote host is any suitable server or
computing device which includes at least one processor and at least
one memory or storage device. In different such embodiments, the
central server is a progressive controller or a processor of one of
the gaming devices in the gaming system. In these embodiments, the
processor of each gaming device is designed to transmit and receive
events, messages, commands, or any other suitable data or signal
between the individual gaming device and the central server. The
gaming device processor is operable to execute such communicated
events, messages, or commands in conjunction with the operation of
the gaming device. Moreover, the processor of the central server is
designed to transmit and receive events, messages, commands, or any
other suitable data or signal between the central server and each
of the individual gaming devices. The central server processor is
operable to execute such communicated events, messages, or commands
in conjunction with the operation of the central server. It should
be appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of the
central controller, central server or remote host as disclosed
herein may be performed by one or more gaming device processors. It
should be further appreciated that one, more or each of the
functions of one or more gaming device processors as disclosed
herein may be performed by the central controller, central server
or remote host.
In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player is
determined by a central server or controller and provided to the
player at the gaming device. In this embodiment, each of a
plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the
central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at
one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates
a game outcome request to the central server or controller.
In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives the
game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for the
primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment, the
central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome for
the secondary game based on probability data. In another
embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a
game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based
on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or
controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or
other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming
device.
In an alternative embodiment, the central server or controller
maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of predetermined
game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server or controller
receives the game outcome request and independently selects a
predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game outcomes. The
central server or controller flags or marks the selected game
outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as used, it is
prevented from further selection from the set or pool and cannot be
selected by the central controller or server upon another wager.
The provided game outcome can include a primary game outcome, a
secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game outcomes, or a
series of game outcomes such as free games.
The central server or controller communicates the generated or
selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming
device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides
the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how
the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or
displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a
slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also
determined by the central server or controller and communicated to
the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the
player. Central production or control can assist a gaming
establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records,
controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic
or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility, and
the like.
In another embodiment, a predetermined game outcome value is
determined for each of a plurality of linked or networked gaming
devices based on the results of a bingo, keno, or lottery game. In
this embodiment, each individual gaming device utilizes one or more
bingo, keno, or lottery games to determine the predetermined game
outcome value provided to the player for the interactive game
played at that gaming device. In one embodiment, the bingo, keno,
or lottery game is displayed to the player. In another embodiment,
the bingo, keno or lottery game is not displayed to the player, but
the results of the bingo, keno, or lottery game determine the
predetermined game outcome value for the primary or secondary
game.
In the various bingo embodiments, as each gaming device is enrolled
in the bingo game, such as upon an appropriate wager or engaging an
input device, the enrolled gaming device is provided or associated
with a different bingo card. Each bingo card consists of a matrix
or array of elements, wherein each element is designated with a
separate indicia, such as a number. It should be appreciated that
each different bingo card includes a different combination of
elements. For example, if four bingo cards are provided to four
enrolled gaming devices, the same element may be present on all
four of the bingo cards while another element may solely be present
on one of the bingo cards.
In operation of these embodiments, upon providing or associating a
different bingo card with each of a plurality of enrolled gaming
devices, the central controller randomly selects or draws, one at a
time, a plurality of the elements. As each element is selected, a
determination is made for each gaming device as to whether the
selected element is present on the bingo card provided to that
enrolled gaming device. This determination can be made by the
central controller, the gaming device, a combination of the two, or
in any other suitable manner. If the selected element is present on
the bingo card provided to that enrolled gaming device, that
selected element on the provided bingo card is marked or flagged.
This process of selecting elements and marking any selected
elements on the provided bingo cards continues until one or more
predetermined patterns are marked on one or more of the provided
bingo cards. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the
gaming device requires the player to engage a daub button (not
shown) to initiate the process of the gaming device marking or
flagging any selected elements.
After one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or more
of the provided bingo cards, a game outcome is determined for each
of the enrolled gaming devices based, at least in part, on the
selected elements on the provided bingo cards. As described above,
the game outcome determined for each gaming device enrolled in the
bingo game is utilized by that gaming device to determine the
predetermined game outcome provided to the player. For example, a
first gaming device to have selected elements marked in a
predetermined pattern is provided a first outcome of win $10 which
will be provided to a first player regardless of how the first
player plays in a first game, and a second gaming device to have
selected elements marked in a different predetermined pattern is
provided a second outcome of win $2 which will be provided to a
second player regardless of how the second player plays a second
game. It should be appreciated that as the process of marking
selected elements continues until one or more predetermined
patterns are marked, this embodiment ensures that at least one
bingo card will win the bingo game and thus at least one enrolled
gaming device will provide a predetermined winning game outcome to
a player. It should be appreciated that other suitable methods for
selecting or determining one or more predetermined game outcomes
may be employed.
In one example of the above-described embodiment, the predetermined
game outcome may be based on a supplemental award in addition to
any award provided for winning the bingo game as described above.
In this embodiment, if one or more elements are marked in
supplemental patterns within a designated number of drawn elements,
a supplemental or intermittent award or value associated with the
marked supplemental pattern is provided to the player as part of
the predetermined game outcome. For example, if the four corners of
a bingo card are marked within the first twenty selected elements,
a supplemental award of $10 is provided to the player as part of
the predetermined game outcome. It should be appreciated that in
this embodiment, the player of a gaming device may be provided a
supplemental or intermittent award regardless of whether the
enrolled gaming device's provided bingo card wins or does not win
the bingo game as described above.
In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices are in
communication with a central server or controller for monitoring
purposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly
generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player and the
central server or controller monitors the activities and events
occurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment,
the gaming network includes a real-time or on-line accounting and
gaming information system operably coupled to the central server or
controller. The accounting and gaming information system of this
embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles,
a player tracking module for tracking players and a credit system
for providing automated casino transactions.
In one embodiment, the gaming device disclosed herein is associated
with or otherwise integrated with one or more player tracking
systems. Player tracking systems enable gaming establishments to
recognize the value of customer loyalty through identifying
frequent customers and rewarding them for their patronage. In one
embodiment, the gaming device and/or player tracking system tracks
any player's gaming activity at the gaming device. In one such
embodiment, the gaming device includes at least one card reader 38
in communication with the processor. In this embodiment, a player
is issued a player identification card which has an encoded player
identification number that uniquely identifies the player. When a
player inserts their playing tracking card into the card reader to
begin a gaming session, the card reader reads the player
identification number off the player tracking card to identify the
player. The gaming device and/or associated player tracking system
timely tracks any suitable information or data relating to the
identified player's gaming session. Directly or via the central
controller, the gaming device processor communicates such
information to the player tracking system. The gaming device and/or
associated player tracking system also timely tracks when a player
removes their player tracking card when concluding play for that
gaming session. In another embodiment, rather than requiring a
player to insert a player tracking card, the gaming device utilizes
one or more portable devices carried by a player, such as a cell
phone, a radio frequency identification tag or any other suitable
wireless device to track when a player begins and ends a gaming
session. In another embodiment, the gaming device utilizes any
suitable biometric technology or ticket technology to track when a
player begins and ends a gaming session.
During one or more gaming sessions, the gaming device and/or player
tracking system tracks any suitable information or data, such as
any amounts wagered, average wager amounts, and/or the time at
which these wagers are placed. In different embodiments, for one or
more players, the player tracking system includes the player's
account number, the player's card number, the player's first name,
the player's surname, the player's preferred name, the player's
player tracking ranking, any promotion status associated with the
player's player tracking card, the player's address, the player's
birthday, the player's anniversary, the player's recent gaming
sessions, or any other suitable data. In one embodiment, such
tracked information and/or any suitable feature associated with the
player tracking system is displayed on a player tracking display
40. In another embodiment, such tracked information and/or any
suitable feature associated with the player tracking system is
displayed via one or more service windows (not shown) which are
displayed on the central display device and/or the upper display
device.
In one embodiment, a plurality of the gaming devices are capable of
being connected together through a data network. In one embodiment,
the data network is a local area network (LAN), in which one or
more of the gaming devices are substantially proximate to each
other and an on-site central server or controller as in, for
example, a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming
establishment. In another embodiment, the data network is a wide
area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming devices are
in communication with at least one off-site central server or
controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices may
be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or
within a different gaming establishment than the off-site central
server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central
server or controller and an off-site gaming device located within
gaming establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city
or state. The WAN gaming system may be substantially identical to
the LAN gaming system described above, although the number of
gaming devices in each system may vary relative to one another.
In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or intranet.
In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming device can be
viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet browser. In
this embodiment, operation of the gaming device and accumulation of
credits may be accomplished with only a connection to the central
server or controller (the internet/intranet server) through a
conventional phone or other data transmission line, digital
subscriber line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,
or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players may
access an internet game page from any location where an internet
connection and computer or other internet facilitator is available.
The expansion in the number of computers and number and speed of
internet connections in recent years increases opportunities for
players to play from an ever-increasing number of remote sites. It
should be appreciated that the enhanced bandwidth of digital
wireless communications may render such technology suitable for
some or all communications, particularly if such communications are
encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for
enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and
interaction with the player.
As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the present disclosure may
be employed in a server-based gaming system. In one such
embodiment, as described above, one or more gaming devices are in
communication with a central server or controller. The central
server or controller may be any suitable server or computing device
which includes at least one processor and a memory or storage
device. In alternative embodiments, the central server is a
progressive controller or another gaming machine in the gaming
system. In one embodiment, the memory device of the central server
stores different game programs and instructions, executable by a
gaming device processor, to control the gaming device. Each
executable game program represents a different game or type of game
which may be played on one or more of the gaming devices in the
gaming system. Such different games may include the same or
substantially the same game play with different pay tables. In
different embodiments, the executable game program is for a primary
game, a secondary game or both. In another embodiment, the game
program may be executable as a secondary game to be played
simultaneous with the play of a primary game (which may be
downloaded to or fixed on the gaming device) or vice versa.
In this embodiment, each gaming device at least includes one or
more display devices and/or one or more input devices for
interaction with a player. A local processor, such as the
above-described gaming device processor or a processor of a local
server, is operable with the display device(s) and/or the input
device(s) of one or more of the gaming devices.
In operation, the central controller is operable to communicate one
or more of the stored game programs to at least one local
processor. In different embodiments, the stored game programs are
communicated or delivered by embedding the communicated game
program in a device or a component (e.g., a microchip to be
inserted in a gaming device), writing the game program on a disc or
other media, or downloading or streaming the game program over a
dedicated data network, internet, or a telephone line. After the
stored game programs are communicated from the central server, the
local processor executes the communicated program to facilitate
play of the communicated program by a player through the display
device(s) and/or input device(s) of the gaming device. That is,
when a game program is communicated to a local processor, the local
processor changes the game or type of game played at the gaming
device.
In another embodiment, a plurality of gaming devices at one or more
gaming sites may be networked to the central server in a
progressive configuration, as known in the art, wherein a portion
of each wager to initiate a base or primary game may be allocated
to one or more progressive awards. In one embodiment, a progressive
gaming system host site computer is coupled to a plurality of the
central servers at a variety of mutually remote gaming sites for
providing a multi-site linked progressive automated gaming system.
In one embodiment, a progressive gaming system host site computer
may serve gaming devices distributed throughout a number of
properties at different geographical locations including, for
example, different locations within a city or different cities
within a state.
In one embodiment, the progressive gaming system host site computer
is maintained for the overall operation and control of the
progressive gaming system. In this embodiment, a progressive gaming
system host site computer oversees the entire progressive gaming
system and is the master for computing all progressive jackpots.
All participating gaming sites report to, and receive information
from, the progressive gaming system host site computer. Each
central server computer is responsible for all data communication
between the gaming device hardware and software and the progressive
gaming system host site computer. In one embodiment, an individual
gaming machine may trigger a progressive award win. In another
embodiment, a central server (or the progressive gaming system host
site computer) determines when a progressive award win is
triggered. In another embodiment, an individual gaming machine and
a central controller (or progressive gaming system host site
computer) work in conjunction with each other to determine when a
progressive win is triggered, for example through an individual
gaming machine meeting a predetermined requirement established by
the central controller.
In one embodiment, a progressive award win is triggered based on
one or more game play events, such as a symbol-driven trigger. In
other embodiments, the progressive award triggering event or
qualifying condition may be achieved by exceeding a certain amount
of game play (such as number of games, number of credits, or amount
of time), or reaching a specified number of points earned during
game play. In another embodiment, a gaming device is randomly or
apparently randomly selected to provide a player of that gaming
device one or more progressive awards. In one such embodiment, the
gaming device does not provide any apparent reasons to the player
for winning a progressive award, wherein winning the progressive
award is not triggered by an event in or based specifically on any
of the plays of any primary game. That is, a player is provided a
progressive award without any explanation or alternatively with
simple explanations. In another embodiment, a player is provided a
progressive award at least partially based on a game triggered or
symbol triggered event, such as at least partially based on the
play of a primary game.
In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are each
funded via a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a player
must place or wager a side bet to be eligible to win the
progressive award associated with the side bet. In one embodiment,
the player must place the maximum bet and the side bet to be
eligible to win one of the progressive awards. In another
embodiment, if the player places or wagers the required side bet,
the player may wager at any credit amount during the primary game
(i.e., the player need not place the maximum bet and the side bet
to be eligible to win one of the progressive awards). In one such
embodiment, the greater the player's wager (in addition to the
placed side bet), the greater the odds or probability that the
player will win one of the progressive awards. It should be
appreciated that one or more of the progressive awards may each be
funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primary
games of the gaming machines in the gaming system, via a gaming
establishment or via any suitable manner.
In another embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are
partially funded via a side-bet or side-wager which the player may
make (and which may be tracked via a side-bet meter). In one
embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are funded with
only side-bets or side-wagers placed. In another embodiment, one or
more of the progressive awards are funded based on player's wagers
as described above as well as any side-bets or side-wagers
placed.
In one alternative embodiment, a minimum wager level is required
for a gaming device to qualify to be selected to obtain one of the
progressive awards. In one embodiment, this minimum wager level is
the maximum wager level for the primary game in the gaming machine.
In another embodiment, no minimum wager level is required for a
gaming machine to qualify to be selected to obtain one of the
progressive awards.
In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of
linked gaming devices in a gaming system participate in a group
gaming environment. In one embodiment, a plurality of players at a
plurality of linked gaming devices work in conjunction with one
another, such as by playing together as a team or group, to win one
or more awards. In one such embodiment, any award won by the group
is shared, either equally or based on any suitable criteria,
amongst the different players of the group. In another embodiment,
a plurality of players at a plurality of linked gaming devices
compete against one another for one or more awards. In one such
embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of linked gaming
devices participate in a gaming tournament for one or more awards.
In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of
linked gaming devices play for one or more awards wherein an
outcome generated by one gaming device affects the outcomes
generated by one or more linked gaming devices.
Persistence Game
FIG. 3A generally illustrates one embodiment of a method of the
present disclosure which employs a symbol accumulation sequence and
a symbol evaluation sequence. More specifically, the gaming system
generates and displays a plurality of symbols for the play of a
wagering game. As part of the symbol accumulation sequence, the
gaming system determines whether to accumulate any symbols. For
each symbol determined to be accumulated, the gaming system causes
a persistence game arrangement, a persistence game matrix or a
persistence game matrix display to display that accumulated symbol.
As part of the symbol evaluation sequence, upon a suitable
triggering event, the gaming system determines whether the
accumulated symbols form any winning symbol combinations. The
gaming system then provides any awards associated with any
determined winning symbol combinations. In other words, the gaming
system provides an award for a persistence game based on the
collected symbols of the persistence game.
More specifically, the gaming system or gaming device enables a
player to place a wager for a play of a wagering game as indicated
by block 102. Upon the placement of the wager, the gaming system
generates and displays a plurality of symbols for the play of the
wagering game as indicated by block 104. As indicated by decision
diamond 106, the gaming system determines whether the generated
plurality of symbols for the play of the wagering game form any
predetermined winning symbol combinations. If the gaming system
determines that the generated plurality of symbols for the play of
the wagering game form a predetermined winning symbol combination,
the gaming system provides an award associated with the formed
predetermined winning symbol combination as indicated by block
108.
In addition to providing any awards for any formed predetermined
winning symbol combinations, the gaming system determines whether
to accumulate any symbols as indicated by decision diamond 110. In
one embodiment, the gaming system accumulates symbols generated for
a play of a game and causes a persistence game arrangement to
display these generated symbols. In another embodiment, the gaming
system accumulates symbols different from the generated symbols for
a play of a game and causes a persistence game arrangement to
display these other symbols. In one such embodiment, the symbols
different from the generated symbols are related to the generated
symbols, such as higher valued symbols.
In these embodiments, if the gaming system determined to accumulate
at least one symbol, the gaming system determines whether it is
necessary to remove any previously accumulated symbols as indicated
by decision diamond 112. That is, if the persistence game
arrangement is at maximum capacity, the gaming system removes
symbols to make room for the recently accumulated symbols. In other
words, the gaming system removes previously accumulated symbols
that are displayed by the persistence game arrangement to create
space to display recently accumulated symbols.
If the gaming system determines that it is necessary to remove at
least one previously accumulated symbol, the gaming system removes
that previously accumulated symbol as shown by block 114. In one
embodiment, the gaming system removes previously accumulated
symbols in a predetermined order. In one such embodiment, the
gaming system removes the previously accumulated symbols in the
order of the earliest accumulated symbol to the most recently
accumulated symbol. In another such embodiment, the gaming system
removes previously accumulated symbols in the order of the most
recently accumulated symbol to the earliest accumulated symbol.
After the gaming system removes the accumulated symbols or if the
gaming system determines that it is not necessary to remove any
previously accumulated symbols, for each symbol determined to be
accumulated, the gaming system accumulates that symbol and causes a
persistence game arrangement to display that accumulated symbol as
shown by block 116. In one embodiment, the gaming system
accumulates symbols in association with a play of a wagering game
or in association with a play of a bonus game. In this embodiment,
any symbols accumulated in the wagering game can be utilized for a
play of a bonus game and vice versa.
In one embodiment, the gaming system accumulates each generated
symbol one time. For example, if the gaming system determines that
a generated symbol for the play of the wagering game is part of a
plurality of predetermined winning symbol combinations, the gaming
system accumulates that generated symbol once. In another
embodiment, the gaming system accumulates each symbol a plurality
of times. For example, if the gaming system determines that a
generated symbol for the play of the wagering game is part of a
plurality of different predetermined winning symbol combinations,
the gaming system accumulates that generated symbol a plurality of
times. In another embodiment, if the gaming system generates a
plurality of symbols which form a predetermined winning symbol
combination, the gaming system accumulates each of the symbols that
form the predetermined winning symbol combination. In another
embodiment, if the gaming system generates a plurality of symbols
which form a predetermined winning symbol combination, the gaming
system accumulates at least one, but not all of the symbols that
form the predetermined winning symbol combination.
As indicated by decision diamond 118, in addition to dynamically
maintaining the persistence game arrangement, the gaming system
determines whether a persistence game symbol evaluation trigger
event occurs. In one embodiment, the persistence game symbol
evaluation trigger event is based on a displayed event in a play of
one or more displayed games. In one such embodiment, the
persistence game symbol evaluation trigger event is based on
whether the gaming system generates one or more designated symbols
for a play of a wagering game. In another embodiment, the
persistence game symbol evaluation trigger event occurs independent
of any displayed event in any play of any game. In one embodiment,
the persistence game symbol evaluation trigger event occurs in
association with a play of a wagering game or in association with a
play of a bonus game. That is, in this embodiment, the persistence
game symbol evaluation trigger event can occur in association with
a play of either a wagering game or a bonus game.
If the gaming system determines that the persistence game symbol
evaluation trigger event did not occur, the gaming system repeats
the process starting at block 102. The player, therefore, has the
opportunity to place another wager to initiate a subsequent play of
the wagering game. In one embodiment, for the subsequent play of
the wagering game, the persistence game arrangement continues to
display any previously accumulated symbols. That is, the
accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game arrangement
remain available for use in the subsequent play of the wagering
game. In other words, the gaming system does not reset the
accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game arrangement.
In one embodiment, each of the accumulated symbols remain available
for use in the subsequent play of the wagering game. In another
embodiment, a plurality of the accumulated symbols remain available
for use in the subsequent play of the wagering game. In other
words, the gaming system resets certain accumulated symbols, but
not all accumulated symbols.
As indicated by decision diamond 120, if the gaming system
determines that a persistence game symbol evaluation trigger event
has occurred, the gaming system determines whether the accumulated
symbols displayed by the persistence game arrangement form any
predetermined winning symbol combinations. In one embodiment, the
persistence game is associated with a higher average expected
payout than the wagering game. In one example embodiment, for the
persistence game, the gaming system applies a modifier, such as a
multiplier, to any awards resulting from symbol combinations. In
another embodiment, the gaming system evaluates the accumulated
symbols using a different type of symbol evaluation from the type
of symbol evaluation used for the generated symbols of the wagering
game. In one such embodiment, the gaming system evaluates the
accumulated symbols using a ways to win symbol evaluation and
evaluates the generated symbols for a wagering game using a payline
symbol evaluation. In another example embodiment, the gaming system
evaluates the generated symbols for a play of a wagering game based
on a first paytable associated with an average expected payout. On
the other hand, in this example embodiment, the gaming system
evaluates the accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement based on a different second paytable associated with a
higher average expected payout than the first paytable.
If the gaming system determines that the accumulated symbols
displayed by the persistence game arrangement forms a predetermined
winning symbol combination, the gaming system provides an award
associated with that formed predetermined winning symbol
combination as shown by block 122. If the gaming system determines
that the accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement do not form a predetermined winning symbol combination,
the gaming system repeats the process starting at block 102.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A to 4F, this example embodiment generally
shows an example illustrating employing a symbol accumulation
sequence which includes, in response to a determination to
accumulate generated symbols, the gaming system removing previously
accumulated symbols from a persistence game arrangement when the
persistence game arrangement is at maximum capacity. As part of the
symbol evaluation sequence, the gaming system determines and
provides an award for the persistence game based on collected
generated symbols that are displayed by the persistence game
arrangement. In this example embodiment, the gaming system
evaluates the generated symbols for the wagering game based on a
first type of symbol evaluation, namely a payline symbol
evaluation. On the other hand, upon a persistence game symbol
evaluation triggering event, the gaming system evaluates the
accumulated symbols using a different second type of symbol
evaluation, namely a ways to win symbol evaluation.
As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the gaming system includes a display
device 16 or 18 that displays a wagering game, and more
particularly a slot game, which includes a plurality of reels 54a,
54b, 54c, 54d and 54e. The display device 16 or 18 also displays an
award meter 200. The award meter 200 displays how much money (i.e.,
credits) has been won by the player.
The display device 16 or 18 also displays a persistence game
arrangement or matrix 206. In this example embodiment, the
persistence game arrangement 206 is configured to display a maximum
quantity of accumulated symbols. The persistence game arrangement
206 includes a plurality of columns 208a, 208b, 208c, 208d and 208e
and a plurality of rows 210a, 210b, 210c and 210d which form a
plurality of symbol positions. For example, the persistence game
arrangement 206 includes a symbol position formed by the
intersection of column 208a and row 210a. In this example
embodiment, each of the columns and rows of the arrangement 206 are
configured to display a set of symbols.
In operation of this example embodiment, the gaming system enables
a player to place a wager for a play of the wagering game. For each
play of the wagering game, the gaming system generates and displays
a plurality of symbols. For each wagered on payline, the gaming
system determines whether the generated plurality of symbols form
any predetermined winning symbol combinations. As illustrated in
FIG. 4A, the gaming system generates and displays a plurality of
symbols on the reels 54a through 54e for a play of the wagering
game. In this example, the player wagered on paylines A, B and C.
The gaming system determines that the generated plurality of
symbols on the reels 54a through 54e form a predetermined winning
symbol combination. More specifically, generated symbols X-X-X-G-B
associated with payline B form a predetermined winning symbol
combination. Based on a payline symbol evaluation, the gaming
system determines and provides an award of fifty credits for the
generated symbol combination X-X-X-G-B.
In this example embodiment, the gaming system determines whether to
accumulate any of the generated plurality of symbols for a play of
the wagering game. The gaming system accumulates generated symbols
if a designated quantity of generated symbols are generated along a
payline. More specifically, in this example embodiment, if the
gaming system generates at least three identical symbols along a
payline, the gaming system accumulates each of the symbols
generated along that payline. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the gaming
system accumulates symbols X-X-X-G-B generated along payline A
because the gaming system generated at least three identical
symbols (i.e., the three X symbols) along payline A. An appropriate
message such as "For you wager, these symbols have been generated.
Congratulations! You win 50 credits for the X-X-X associated with
payline A. Congratulations! The persistence game arrangement will
display X-X-X-G-B for the persistence game. Let's see your
accumulated symbols!" is provided to the player visually, such as
in the message display 204, or through suitable audio or
audiovisual displays.
In this example embodiment, for each accumulated symbol, the gaming
system causes the persistence game arrangement 206 to display that
accumulated symbol. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the gaming system
causes row 210d of the persistence game arrangement 206 to display
the symbols X-X-X-G-B. An appropriate message such as "Make a wager
and spin the reels again!" is provided to the player visually, such
as in the message display 204, or through suitable audio or
audiovisual displays.
In FIG. 4C, the gaming system generated and displayed a plurality
of symbols on the reels 54a through 54e. The gaming system
determines that the generated symbols Y-Y-Y-Y-R associated with
payline C form a predetermined winning symbol combination. The
award meter 200 shows an award of forty credits, indicating that
the gaming system provided an award associated with Y-Y-Y-Y-R. In
FIG. 4C, the gaming system also accumulates symbols Y-Y-Y-Y-R
generated along payline C because the gaming system generated at
least three identical symbols (i.e., the four Y symbols) along
payline C. An appropriate message such as "For you wager, these
symbols have been generated. Congratulations! You win 40 credits
for the Y-Y-Y-Y associated with payline C. Congratulations! The
persistence game arrangement will display Y-Y-Y-Y-R for the
persistence game. Let's see your accumulated symbols!" is provided
to the player visually, such as in the message display 204, or
through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
As illustrated in FIG. 4D, for each of the accumulated symbols, the
gaming system causes the persistence game arrangement 206 to
display that accumulated symbol. More specifically, the gaming
system causes row 210d of the persistence game arrangement 206 to
display the symbols Y-Y-Y-Y-R. By causing row 210d to display the
symbols Y-Y-Y-Y-R, the gaming system also causes row 210c to
display the symbols previously displayed by row 210d of the
persistence game arrangement (i.e., symbols X-X-X-G-B). That is,
symbols X-X-X-G-B move up from row 210d to 210c of the persistence
game arrangement 206. An appropriate message such as "Make a wager
and spin the reels again!" is provided to the player visually, such
as in the message display 204, or through suitable audio or
audiovisual displays.
FIG. 4E illustrates a play of the wagering game in which the player
had previously accumulated (i.e., before the current wagering game
play illustrated in FIG. 4E) a plurality of previously generated
symbols. More specifically, the gaming system previously,
accumulated generated symbols D-D-D-Y-T (as displayed by row 210c
of the persistence game arrangement 206) and previously generated
symbols Z-Z-Z-O-G (as displayed by row 210d of the persistence game
arrangement 206). It should be appreciated that in FIG. 4E, the
persistence game arrangement 206 has collected the maximum quantity
of generated symbols associated with plays of the wagering game. In
other words, each of the symbol positions formed by the columns
208a to 208e and the rows 210a to 210d display a previously
generated symbol. That is, the persistence game arrangement 206 is
full.
In FIG. 4E, the gaming system generated and displayed a plurality
of symbols on the reels 54a through 54e. The gaming system
determines that the generated symbols X-X-X-N-Y associated with
payline B form a predetermined winning symbol combination. The
award meter 200 shows an award of fifty credits, indicating that
the gaming system provided an award associated with X-X-X-N-Y. The
gaming system also determines to accumulate the generated symbol
combination X-X-X-N-Y. An appropriate message such as "For you
wager, these symbols have been generated. Congratulations! You win
50 credits for the X-X-X associated with payline B.
Congratulations! The persistence game arrangement will display
X-X-X-N-Y for the persistence game. Let's see your accumulated
symbols!" is provided to the player visually, such as in the
message display 204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual
displays.
As illustrated in FIG. 4F, for each generated symbol determined to
be accumulated (i.e., symbols X-X-X-N-Y), the gaming system causes
the persistence game arrangement 206 to display those determined
symbols. More specifically, the gaming system causes row 210d of
the persistence game arrangement 206 to display the symbols
X-X-X-N-Y. By causing row 210d to display X-X-X-N-Y, the gaming
system removes the symbols displayed by row 210a of the persistence
game arrangement (i.e., symbols X-X-X-G-B). That is, the gaming
system created space for the additionally generated symbols
X-X-X-N-Y because the persistence game arrangement is full. An
appropriate message such as "By adding the X-X-X-N-Y to the
persistence game arrangement, X-X-X-G-B has been removed from the
persistence game arrangement. Make a wager and spin the reels
again!" is provided to the player visually, such as in the message
display 204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
In this example embodiment, for each play of the wagering game, the
gaming system determines whether a persistence game symbol
evaluation triggering event occurs. In this example embodiment, the
persistence game symbol evaluation triggering event is based on a
number of designated symbols generated for a play of the wagering
game. More specifically, the persistence game symbol evaluation
triggering event occurs if the gaming system generates at least one
"BONUS" symbol for a play of the wagering game. As illustrated in
FIG. 4G, the persistence game symbol evaluation triggering event
occurs because the gaming system generated the "BONUS" symbol on
reel 54b.
In this example embodiment, upon the occurrence of the persistence
game symbol evaluation trigger event, the gaming system
automatically determines whether the accumulated symbols displayed
by the persistence game arrangement 206 form any predetermined
winning symbol combinations. In this example, the gaming system
evaluates the accumulated symbols based on a different type of
symbol evaluation from the type of symbol evaluation utilized to
determine whether the generated symbols for the wagering game form
any winning symbol combinations. More specifically, in the example,
the gaming system automatically evaluates the generated symbols for
the wagering game based on a payline symbol evaluation.
Alternatively, the gaming system automatically evaluates the
accumulated symbols based on a ways to win symbol evaluation. As
illustrated in FIG. 4G, because the persistence game symbol
evaluation trigger event occurred, the gaming system evaluates the
accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game arrangement
206 based on a ways to win symbol evaluation. In this example, the
gaming system determines that the accumulated symbols form five
different strings of symbols based on the ways to win symbol
evaluation. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4G, the
accumulated symbols form: two Y-Y-Y-Y-Y strings of symbols; one
D-D-D string of symbols; one Z-Z-Z string of symbols; and one X-X-X
string of symbols.
In FIG. 4G, the gaming system provides an award for each of the
formed strings of symbols. More specifically, the gaming system
provides: five hundred credits for each of the formed Y-Y-Y-Y-Y
strings of symbols; one hundred credits for the formed D-D-D string
of symbols; one hundred credits for the formed Z-Z-Z string of
symbols; and one hundred credits for the formed Z-Z-Z string of
symbols. An appropriate message such as "The persistence game
symbol evaluation triggering event occurred! You win 1300 credits
based on your accumulated symbols. You win the following awards:
500 credits for each of your two Y-Y-Y-Y-Y formed strings of
symbols. 100 credits for your D-D-D formed string of symbols. 100
credits for your Z-Z-Z formed string of symbols. 100 credits for
your X-X-X formed string of symbols." is provided to the player
visually, such as in the message display 204, or through suitable
audio or audiovisual displays.
FIG. 5 generally illustrates another embodiment of the present
disclosure which generates and displays a plurality of symbols for
a play of a game (i.e., a wagering game or a bonus game). In this
embodiment, as part of the symbol accumulation sequence, the gaming
system accumulates symbols generated in association with the play
of the wagering game, and subsequently accumulates symbols
generated in associated with the play of a subsequently played
bonus game. As part of the symbol evaluation sequence, upon a
persistence game symbol utilization trigger event, the gaming
system automatically replaces at least one generated symbol of the
currently played game with at least one accumulated symbol which
was previously generated for a previous play of the game. The
gaming system determines whether the currently displayed symbols
(which include the newly added symbols) include any predetermined
winning symbol combinations. The gaming system then provides awards
associated with any predetermined winning symbol combinations.
More specifically, the gaming system generates and displays a
plurality of symbols for the play of a game as indicated by block
302. As indicated by decision diamond 304, the gaming system
determines whether the generated plurality of symbols for the play
of the game form any predetermined winning symbol combinations. If
the gaming system determines that the generated plurality of
symbols for the play of the game form a predetermined winning
symbol combination, the gaming system provides an award associated
with the formed predetermined winning symbol combination as
indicated by block 306.
The gaming system of this embodiment also determines whether to
accumulate any symbols as indicated by decision diamond 308 and as
described above. For each symbol determined to be accumulated, the
gaming system accumulates that symbol and causes a persistence game
arrangement to display that accumulated symbol as shown by block
310 and as described above. In one embodiment, the gaming system
can accumulate and display symbols in association with a play of a
wagering game or in association with a play of a bonus game.
As indicated by decision diamond 312 and as described above, in
addition to dynamically maintaining the persistence game display
arrangement, the gaming system determines whether a persistence
game symbol utilization trigger event occurs. In one embodiment,
the persistence game symbol utilization trigger event occurs if any
individual sets of symbols of the persistence game arrangement are
at a maximum capacity of accumulated symbols.
If the gaming system determines that the persistence game symbol
utilization trigger event does not occur, the gaming system repeats
the process starting at block 302. As indicated by decision diamond
314, if the gaming system determines that a persistence game symbol
utilization trigger event occurred, the gaming system automatically
replaces one or more of the generated symbols of the currently
played game with one or more accumulated symbols displayed by the
persistence game arrangement. In one embodiment, each column (or
row) of the persistence game arrangement is associated with, or
corresponds to a reel which is employed in a wagering game or bonus
game. For example, the persistence game arrangement includes a
first column that is associated with a first reel and a second
column that is associated with a second reel. In this example, upon
the persistence game symbol utilization trigger event, for each of
the accumulated symbols displayed by the first column, the gaming
system causes that accumulated symbol to replace a separate one of
the symbols generated for the first reel. Additionally, upon the
persistence game symbol utilization trigger event, for each of the
accumulated symbols displayed by the second column, the gaming
system causes that accumulated symbol to replace a separate one of
the symbols generated for the second reel. That is, in this
example, no symbols accumulated and displayed by the first column
of the persistence game arrangement can replace any symbols
generated for the second reel. In one embodiment, each column of
the persistence game arrangement is related to a plurality of reels
of the wagering game or bonus game. In one embodiment, a plurality
of the columns of the persistence game arrangement are related to a
plurality of reels of the wagering game or bonus game.
In one embodiment, the gaming system automatically replaces certain
generated symbols of the current play of the game with certain
accumulated symbols from the persistence game arrangement. In one
embodiment, the gaming system automatically replaces certain sets
of generated symbols for a play of a game with certain sets of
symbols displayed by a persistence game symbol arrangement. In
another embodiment, for each accumulated symbol displayed by the
persistence game arrangement, the gaming system causes that
accumulated symbol to automatically replace one of the generated
symbols for the play of the game. In another embodiment, the gaming
system automatically replaces currently generated symbols of the
game with symbols associated with the accumulated symbols displayed
by the persistence game arrangement. That is, in this embodiment,
the gaming system replaces currently generated symbols of the game
with symbols that are related to, but different from the
accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement.
After the gaming system automatically replaces one or more of the
currently generated symbols, the gaming system determines whether
the currently displayed symbols for the currently played game form
any predetermined winning symbol combinations as indicated by
decision diamond 316. If the gaming system determines that the
currently displayed symbols form a predetermined winning symbol
combination, the gaming system provides an award associated with
that formed predetermined winning symbol combination as shown by
block 318. If the gaming system determines that the currently
displayed symbols for the currently played game do not form a
predetermined winning symbol combination, the gaming system repeats
the process starting at block 302. In one embodiment, for the
subsequent play of the game, the persistence game arrangement
continues to display any previously accumulated symbols. That is,
the accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement remain available for use in the subsequent play of the
game.
FIG. 6 generally illustrates another embodiment of the present
disclosure which generates and displays a plurality of symbols for
a play of a wagering game or a bonus game. In this embodiment, as
part of the symbol accumulation sequence, the gaming system
accumulates generated symbols in association with a play of the
wagering game or the bonus game. Upon a persistence game symbol
utilization trigger event, the gaming system replaces currently
generated symbols of the wagering game or bonus game with
accumulated symbols which were accumulated in association with a
wagering game or bonus game. Thereafter, the gaming system
determines whether the currently displayed symbols (which include
the newly added symbols) include any predetermined winning symbol
combinations. The gaming system then provides awards associated
with any predetermined winning symbol combinations.
More specifically, the gaming system or gaming device enables a
player to place a wager for a play of a wagering game as indicated
by block 402. Upon the placement of the wager, the gaming system
generates and displays a plurality of symbols for the play of the
wagering game as indicated by block 404.
As indicated by decision diamond 406, the gaming system determines
whether a bonus game triggering event occurs. In one embodiment,
the bonus game triggering event is based on a displayed event in a
play of one or more displayed games. In one such embodiment, the
bonus game triggering event is based on whether the gaming system
generates one or more designated symbols for a play of the wagering
game. In another embodiment, the bonus game triggering event occurs
independent of any displayed event in any play of any game.
If the gaming system determines that the bonus game triggering
event did not occur, the gaming system determines whether to
accumulate any symbols as indicated by block 408. As described
above, in one embodiment, the gaming system accumulates generated
symbols and, in another embodiment, the gaming system accumulated
symbols related to, but different from the generated symbols. In
one embodiment, the gaming system determines to accumulate certain
designated symbols generated in a play of a wagering game. For each
symbol determined to be accumulated, the gaming system accumulates
that symbol and causes a persistence game arrangement to display
that accumulated symbol as shown by block 410 and as described
above.
As indicated by decision diamond 412, the gaming system determines
whether a persistence game symbol utilization trigger event occurs.
In one embodiment, the persistence game symbol utilization trigger
event is based on a displayed event in a play of one or more
displayed games. In one such embodiment, the persistence game
symbol utilization trigger event is based on whether any individual
sets of symbols of the persistence game arrangement is at a maximum
capacity of accumulated symbols. For example, the persistence game
symbol utilization trigger event occurs when any persistence game
arrangement column displays a maximum amount of accumulated
symbols. In another embodiment, the persistence game symbol
utilization trigger event occurs independent of any displayed event
in any play of any game.
As indicated by block 414 and as described above, if the gaming
system determines that a persistence game symbol utilization
trigger event has occurred, the gaming system replaces one or more
of the currently generated symbols of the wagering game with one or
more accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement.
After the gaming system replaces one or more of the currently
generated symbols, the gaming system determines whether the
currently displayed symbols for the play of the wagering game form
any predetermined winning symbol combinations as indicated by
decision diamond 416. If the gaming system determines that the
currently displayed symbols for the play of the wagering game form
a predetermined winning symbol combination, the gaming system
provides an award associated with that formed predetermined winning
symbol combination as shown by block 418. If the gaming system
determines that the currently displayed symbols for the play of a
wagering game do not form a predetermined winning symbol
combination, the gaming system repeats the process starting at
block 402. In one embodiment, for the subsequent play of the
wagering game, the persistence game arrangement continues to
display any previously accumulated symbols as described above. That
is, the accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement remain available for use in the subsequent play of the
wagering game.
On the other hand, if the gaming system determines that the bonus
triggering event did occur, the gaming system determines and
provides a number of bonus games to provide to the player as
indicated by block 420. In one embodiment, the bonus games include
a plurality of free spin games. After the gaming system determines
and provides the number of bonus games, the gaming system generates
and displays a plurality of symbols for a play of a bonus game as
indicated by block 422.
After the gaming system generates and displays the plurality of
symbols for the play of the bonus game, the gaming system
determines whether to accumulate any symbols as indicated by block
424 and as described above. In one embodiment, the gaming system
determines whether to accumulate symbols for the play of the bonus
game based on a different type of symbol evaluation from the type
of symbol evaluation utilized to determine whether to accumulate
any symbols for a play of the wagering game. In one example
embodiment, for a play of a wagering game, the gaming system
accumulates symbols based on a first symbol evaluation of whether
any "bar" symbols are generated. That is, in this example, for the
play of the wagering game, the gaming system accumulates any
generated "bar" symbols. In this example embodiment, for the play
of a bonus game, the gaming system accumulates symbols based on a
second symbol evaluation of whether any "bar" symbols or any
"cherry" symbols are generated. That is, for the play of the bonus
game, the gaming system accumulates any generated "bar" symbols or
any generated "cherry" symbols. In other words, in this example
embodiment, the gaming system accumulates more types of symbols for
a play of the bonus game than a play of a wagering game.
For each symbol determined to be accumulated, the gaming system
accumulates that symbol and causes a persistence game arrangement
to display that accumulated symbol as shown by block 426 and as
described above. As indicated by decision diamond 428 and as
described above, the gaming system determines whether a persistence
game symbol utilization trigger event occurs.
As indicated by block 430 and as described above, if the gaming
system determines that a persistence game symbol utilization
trigger event has occurred, the gaming system replaces one or more
of the currently generated symbols of the bonus game with one or
more accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement to display symbols for the play of the bonus game.
After the gaming system replaces one or more of the currently
generated symbols, the gaming system determines whether the
currently displayed symbols for the play of a bonus game form any
predetermined winning symbol combinations as indicated by decision
diamond 432 and as described above. If the gaming system determines
that the currently displayed symbols for the play of a bonus game
form a predetermined winning symbol combination, the gaming system
provides an award associated with that formed predetermined winning
symbol combination as shown by block 434 and as described
above.
After the gaming system provides the award or if the gaming system
determines that the currently displayed symbols for the play of a
wagering game do not form a predetermined winning symbol
combination, the gaming system determines whether the remaining
number of bonus games to provide to the player is equal to a
designated number as indicated by decision diamond 436. In one
embodiment, the designated number is zero.
If the gaming system determines that the remaining number of bonus
games to provide to the play is not equal to the designated number,
the gaming system decreases the remaining number of bonus games to
provide to the player as indicated by block 438. After the gaming
system decreases the remaining number of bonus games, the gaming
system repeats the process starting at block 422. The player,
therefore, has the opportunity to initiate a subsequent play of the
bonus game. In one embodiment, for the subsequent play of the bonus
game, the persistence game arrangement continues to display any
previously accumulated symbols as described above. That is, the
accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game arrangement
remain available for use in the subsequent play of the bonus game.
In other words, the gaming system does not reset the accumulated
symbols displayed by the persistence game arrangement. In another
embodiment, a plurality of the accumulated symbols remain available
for use in the subsequent play of the bonus game. In other words,
the gaming system resets certain accumulated symbols, but not all
accumulated symbols for the subsequent play of the bonus game.
If the gaming system determines that the remaining number of bonus
games to provide to the play is equal to a designated number, the
gaming system determines whether to accumulate any symbols for a
subsequent play of the wagering game as indicated by block 408. In
one embodiment, for the subsequent play of the wagering game, the
persistence game arrangement continues to display any symbols
accumulated in one or more plays of the bonus game as described
above. That is, the accumulated symbols that were accumulated in
the bonus game remain available for use in the subsequent play of
the wagering game. In other words, the gaming system does not reset
the accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement for the subsequent play of the wagering game. In
another embodiment, a plurality of the accumulated symbols remain
available for use in the subsequent play of the wagering game. In
other words, the gaming system resets certain accumulated symbols,
but not all accumulated symbols for the subsequent play of the
wagering game.
Referring now to FIGS. 7A to 7K, this example embodiment generally
shows an example illustrating providing the player with ten free
spin bonus games upon a suitable bonus trigger event. In this
example, as part of the symbol accumulation sequence, the gaming
system accumulates generated symbols from a wagering game or a
bonus game. The gaming system accumulates more types of symbols for
a play of the bonus game than the types of symbols accumulated for
a play of the wagering game. In this example, the symbols that are
accumulated for plays of the wagering game are carried over for the
provided plays of the bonus game and vice versa. In this example,
if any column of the persistence game arrangement accumulates a
maximum quantity of symbols, the gaming system replaces generated
symbols of the currently played game with accumulated symbols
displayed by the persistence game arrangement. Thereafter, the
gaming system determines whether any of the displayed symbols form
any winning symbol combinations and provides any awards associated
with any determined winning symbol combinations.
More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, the gaming system
includes a display device 16 or 18 that displays a wagering game,
and more particularly a slot game, which includes a plurality of
reels 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d and 54e. The display device 16 or 18 also
displays an award meter 200. The display device 16 or 18 also
displays a persistence game arrangement or matrix 206. In this
example embodiment, the persistence game arrangement 206 is
configured to display a maximum quantity of accumulated symbols.
The persistence game arrangement 206 includes a plurality of
columns 208a, 208b, 208c, 208d and 208e and a plurality of rows
210a, 210b, 210c and 210d which form a plurality of symbol
positions.
In operation of this example embodiment, the gaming system enables
a player to place a wager for a play of the wagering game. For each
play of the wagering game, the gaming system generates and displays
a plurality of symbols. For each wagered on payline, the gaming
system determines whether the generated plurality of symbols form
any predetermined winning symbol combinations. As illustrated in
FIG. 7A, the gaming system generates and displays a plurality of
symbols on the reels 54a through 54e for a play of the wagering
game. In this example, the player wagered on paylines A, B and
C.
In this example embodiment, the gaming system determines whether to
accumulate any of the generated plurality of symbols of the
wagering game. In this example, the gaming system accumulates
generated symbols if certain designated symbols are generated for a
play of the bonus game. More specifically, for the wagering game,
the gaming system accumulates each generated "A1" symbol. As
illustrated in FIG. 4A, the gaming system accumulates generated
symbols "A1" 502a and "A1" 502b. An appropriate message such as
"For you wager, these symbols have been generated. Congratulations!
The persistence game arrangement will display the two generated A1
symbols for the persistence game. Let's see your accumulated
symbols!" is provided to the player visually, such as in the
message display 204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual
displays.
In this example embodiment, for each accumulated symbol, the gaming
system causes the persistence game arrangement 206 to display that
accumulated symbol. In this example: column 208a is associated with
reel 54a; column 208b is associated with reel 54b; column 208c is
associated with reel 54c; column 208d is associated with reel 54d;
and column 208e is associated with reel 54e. For each generated
symbols determined to be accumulated, that symbol is displayed by a
certain column of the persistence game arrangement based on which
reel generated that symbol. More specifically, for symbols
generated by reel 54a which are determined to be accumulated, the
gaming system causes column 208a to display these generated
symbols. For symbols generated by reel 54b which are determined to
be accumulated, the gaming system causes column 208b to display
these generated symbols. For symbols generated by reel 54c which
are determined to be accumulated, the gaming system causes column
208c to display these generated symbols. For symbols generated by
reel 54d which are determined to be accumulated, the gaming system
causes column 208d to display these generated symbols. For symbols
generated by reel 54e which are determined to be accumulated, the
gaming system causes column 208e to display these generated
symbols. As illustrated in FIG. 7B, the gaming system causes: (i)
column 208a, row 210d of the persistence game arrangement 206 to
display the "A1" 502a symbol; and (ii) column 208c, row 210d of the
persistence game arrangement 206 to display the "A1" symbol 502b.
An appropriate message such as "Make a wager and spin the reels
again!" is provided to the player visually, such as in the message
display 204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
In FIG. 7C, the gaming system generated and displayed a plurality
of symbols on the reels 54a through 54e. The gaming system
determines that the generated symbols X-X-X-L-A1 associated with
payline A form a predetermined winning symbol combination. The
award meter 200 shows an award of fifty credits, indicating that
the gaming system provided an award associated with the generated
symbols X-X-X-L-A1. The gaming system also determines to accumulate
the generated symbols "A1" 502c, "A1" 502d and "A1" 502e. An
appropriate message such as "For you wager, these symbols have been
generated. Congratulations! You win 50 credits for the X-X-X
associated with payline A. Congratulations! The persistence game
arrangement will display the three A1 symbols for the persistence
game. Let's see your accumulated symbols!" is provided to the
player visually, such as in the message display 204, or through
suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
As illustrated in FIG. 7D, for each of the accumulated symbols, the
gaming system causes the persistence game arrangement 206 to
display that accumulated symbol. More specifically, the gaming
system causes: (i) column 208c, row 210d of the persistence game
arrangement 206 to display the "A1" symbol 502c; (ii) column 208e,
row 210c of the persistence game arrangement 206 to display the
"A1" symbol 502d; and (iii) column 208e, row 210d of the
persistence game arrangement 206 to display the "A1" symbol 502e.
By causing column 208c, row 210d of the persistence game
arrangement 206 to display the "A1" symbol 502c, the gaming system
also causes column 208c, row 210c of the persistence game
arrangement 206 to display the "A1" symbol 502b which was
previously displayed by column 208c, row 210d of the persistence
game arrangement 206. That is, the "A1" symbol 502b moved up from
row 210d of the persistence game arrangement 206 to row 210c. An
appropriate message such as "Make a wager and spin the reels
again!" is provided to the player visually, such as in the message
display 204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
Referring now to FIG. 7E, in this example embodiment, upon a bonus
game triggering event, the gaming system determines and provides a
number of bonus games to the player. In this example embodiment,
the bonus game triggering event occurs if the gaming system
generates at least one "BONUS" symbol for a play of the wagering
game. As illustrated in FIG. 7E, the generated symbols include a
bonus triggering event (i.e., the generation of the "BONUS"
symbol). The "BONUS" symbol on reel 54c triggers a bonus game of
ten bonus game free spins as indicated by the message display 204.
In this example, when the gaming system provides the bonus game,
the display device provides a bonus game free spins remaining meter
210. The bonus game free spins remaining meter 210 displays how
many bonus game free spins remain. In this example, the gaming
system provides the player with ten bonus game free spins as shown
by the bonus game free spins remaining meter 210.
In this example embodiment, the previously accumulated symbols that
were accumulated and displayed in association with the wagering
game remain available for plays of the bonus game free spins
provided to the player. That is, the persistence game arrangement
206 continues to display the accumulated symbols, 502a, 502b, 502c
and 502d for the bonus game.
In this example embodiment, the gaming system determines whether to
accumulate any of the generated plurality of symbols of the bonus
game. The gaming system accumulates generated symbols if certain
designated symbols are generated for a play of the bonus game. More
specifically, for the bonus game, the gaming system accumulates
generated "A1" symbols and generated "A2" symbols. In other words,
for the bonus game, the gaming system can accumulate more types of
symbols than the types of symbols available to be accumulated for
the wagering game. An appropriate message such as "Congratulations!
The Bonus Game has been triggered! You are provided 10 Bonus Game
Free Spins! Your accumulated symbols will carry over to your bonus
game. For your bonus game you can now accumulate A2 symbols in
addition to the A1 symbols! Spin the reels to start the bonus
game!" is provided to the player visually, such as in the message
display 204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
As illustrated in FIG. 7F, the gaming system generates and displays
a plurality of symbols on the reels 54a through 54e for the first
free spin play of the bonus game. In this example embodiment, the
gaming system determines to accumulate the "A1" symbol 502f, the
"A2" symbol 504a, the "A2" symbol 504b and the "A1" symbol 502g.
Additionally, in this example, the gaming system determines that
the generated plurality of symbols on the reels 54a through 54e
form a predetermined winning symbol combination. More specifically,
generated symbols Z-Z-Z associated with payline B form a
predetermined winning symbol combination. Based on a payline symbol
evaluation, the gaming system determines and provides an award of
seventy-five credits for the generated symbol combination Z-Z-Z.
The award meter 200 shows an award of seventy-five credits,
indicating that the gaming system provided an award associated with
the Z-Z-Z symbol combination.
The gaming system also determines whether the remaining number of
bonus games to provide to the player equals a designated number. In
this example, the designated number is zero. In other words, the
gaming system determines whether to provide any more bonus game
free spins to the player. As illustrated in FIG. 7F, because the
bonus game free spins remaining to provide to the player is nine,
the gaming system determines to provide another bonus game free
spin and decreases the remaining number of bonus game free spins to
provide to the player. The bonus game free spins meter 504 shows
the number nine. An appropriate message such as "For your first
play of the bonus game free spin, these symbols have been
generated. Congratulations! You win 75 credits for the Z-Z-Z
associated with payline B. Congratulations! The persistence game
arrangement will display the two A1 symbols and the two A2 symbols
of the persistence game. Let's see your accumulated symbols!" is
provided to the player visually, such as in the message display
204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
As illustrated in FIG. 7G, for each of the accumulated symbols, the
gaming system causes the persistence game arrangement 206 to
display that accumulated symbol. More specifically, the gaming
system causes: (i) column 208b, row 210d of the persistence game
arrangement 206 to display the "A1" symbol 502f; (ii) column 208c,
row 210d to display the "A2" symbol 504a; (iii) column 208d, row
210c to display the "A2" symbol 504b; and column 208d, row 210d to
display the "A1" symbol 502g. By causing column 208c, row 210d to
display the "A2" symbol 504a the gaming system also causes: (i)
column 208c, row 210b of the persistence game arrangement 206 to
display the "A1" symbol 502b; and (ii) column 208c, row 210c to
display the "A1" symbol 502c. That is, for column 208c, the "A1"
symbol 502b and the "A1" symbol 502c moved up a row. An appropriate
message such as "Spin the reels again!" is provided to the player
visually, such as in the message display 204, or through suitable
audio or audiovisual displays.
FIG. 7H illustrates a play of the bonus game in which the player
had previously accumulated generated symbols (i.e., before the
current bonus game play illustrated in FIG. 7H). More specifically,
the gaming system previously accumulated: (i) the "A2" symbol 504c
(as displayed by column 208a, row 210d of the persistence game
arrangement 206); and (ii) the "A1" symbol 502g (as displayed by
column 208d, row 210d of the persistence game arrangement 206).
In FIG. 7H, the gaming system generates and displays a plurality of
symbols on the reels 54a though 54e for the last free spin play of
the bonus game. It should be appreciated that in FIG. 7H, the
gaming system determined not to accumulate any generated symbols
and also determined that the generated symbols do not include any
predetermined winning symbol combinations. An appropriate message
such as "The Bonus Game is over because you do not have any bonus
game free spins remaining. Your accumulated symbols will carry over
to your wagering game. Make a wager and spin the reels again!" is
provided to the player visually, such as in the message display
204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
As illustrated in FIG. 7I, the gaming system generates and displays
a plurality of symbols on the reels 54a through 54e for a play of
the wagering game. The gaming system determines to accumulate: the
"A1" symbol 502j; the "A1" symbol 502k; the "A1" symbol 502h; and
the "A1" symbol 502i. An appropriate message such as "For you
wager, these symbols have been generated. Congratulations! The
persistence game arrangement will display the four A1 symbols for
the persistence game. Let's see your accumulated symbols!" is
provided to the player visually, such as in the message display
204, or through suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
As illustrated in FIG. 7J, for each of the accumulated symbols, the
gaming system causes the persistence game arrangement 206 to
display that accumulated symbol. More specifically, the gaming
system causes: (i) column 208b, row 210d of the persistence game
arrangement 206 to display the "A1" symbol 502h; and column 208c,
row 210d to display the "A1" symbol 502i. It should be appreciated
that by causing column 208a, row 210c to display the "A1" symbol
502j and by causing column 208a, row 210d to display the "A1"
symbol 502k, the "A1" symbol 502a and the "A1" symbol 502c moved
up. It should also be appreciated that by causing column 208b, row
210d to display the "A1" symbol 502h, the "A1" symbol 502f moved
up. It should also be appreciated that by causing column 208c, row
210d to display the "A1" symbol 502i, the "A1" symbol 502b, the
"A1" symbol 502c and the "A2" symbol 504a each moved up.
In FIG. 7J, the gaming system determines whether the persistence
game symbol utilization event occurs. In this example, the
persistence game symbol utilization event occurs if any column of
the persistence game arrangement is at a maximum capacity of
accumulated symbols. In this example, the persistence game symbol
utilization event can occur in association with a play of the
wagering game or the bonus game. As illustrate in FIG. 7J, the
persistence game symbol utilization trigger event occurs because
column 208a and column 208c of the persistence game arrangement 206
are each at maximum capacity of accumulated symbols as indicated by
the highlighted areas surrounding columns 208a and 208c. An
appropriate message such as "Congratulations! The persistence game
symbol evaluation triggering event occurred because the first
column and the third column of the persistence arrangement are at
maximum capacity! For each accumulated symbol displayed by the
first column and the third column of the persistence game
arrangement, that accumulated symbol will drop and replace a
separate generated symbol for the play of the wagering game! Let's
see your new symbols!" is provided to the player visually, such as
in the message display 204, or through suitable audio or
audiovisual displays.
In FIG. 7K, the gaming system replaces certain generated symbols
for the play of the wagering game with certain accumulated symbols
displayed by the persistence game arrangement. More specifically,
for each symbol accumulated and displayed by column 208a of the
persistence game arrangement, the gaming system causes that symbol
to replace a separate symbol generated by reel 54a for the play of
the wagering game. For each symbol accumulated and displayed by
column 208c of the persistence game arrangement, the gaming system
causes that symbol to replace a separates symbol generated by reel
54c for the play of the wagering game.
In this example, after the generated symbols are replaced by the
accumulated symbols, the gaming system determines whether the
displayed symbols for the play of the wagering game form any
predetermined winning symbol combinations. In this example, the
gaming system determines that the displayed symbols form a
predetermined winning symbol combination. More specifically,
displayed symbols A1-A1-A2-S-Y associated with payline A form a
predetermined winning symbol combination. The gaming system then
provides a 1000 credits award for the displayed winning symbol
combination A1-A1-A2-S-Y. The award meter 200 shows an award of one
thousand credits, indicating that the gaming system provided an
award associated with the A1-A1-A2-S-Y symbol combination. An
appropriate message such as "Congratulations! You win for 1000
credits for the A1-A1-A2 associated with payline A!" is provided to
the player visually, such as in the message display 204, or through
suitable audio or audiovisual displays.
In one alternative embodiment, the gaming system determines to
accumulate each generated symbol which forms a winning symbol
combination for a play of a game. In one embodiment, for a play of
a game, the gaming system determines to accumulate certain
generated symbols that form winning symbol combinations. For
example, for a play of a game, the gaming system generates symbols
that form a first winning symbol combination associated with a
first award and a second winning symbol combination associated with
a second higher award than the first award. In this example, the
gaming system determines to accumulate the generated symbols that
form the second winning symbol combination because the second
winning symbol combination is associated with a higher award than
the first winning symbol combination. That is, in this example, the
gaming system does not accumulate the generated symbols that formed
the first winning symbol combination.
In one embodiment, the determination of which generated symbols can
be accumulated for a play of a game is determined based on the
player's wager. For example, the gaming system increases the types
of symbols (or symbol combinations) available to be accumulated if
the player increases their wager. In one embodiment, the types of
symbols added based on the player's increased wager are higher
valued symbols.
In different embodiments, the determination of which generated
symbols can be accumulated for a play of game is predetermined,
randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such
as determined through a player tracking system), determined based
on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a
random determination by the central controller, determined based on
a random determination at the gaming system, determined based on
one or more side wagers placed, determined based on time (such as
the time of day), determined based on an amount of coin-in
accumulated in one or more pools or determined based on any other
suitable method or criteria.
In one embodiment, the accumulated symbols are different from the
generated symbols. In one such embodiment, the accumulated symbols
are symbols which are not utilized for plays of the wagering game
or base game. In one example embodiment, the gaming system
generates a red seven symbol for a play of a wagering game. In this
example, for the generated red seven symbol, the gaming system
accumulates and displays a purple seven symbol in association with
a persistence game. In this example, no purple seven symbols are
available to be generated for a play of the wagering game. That is,
purple seven symbols are displayed in association with the
persistence game and not the wagering game.
In different embodiments, wherein the gaming system removes at
least one symbol from the persistence game arrangement, the
determination of which symbol is removed from the persistence game
arrangement is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based
on the player's status (such as determined through a player
tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol
combination, determined based on a random determination by the
central controller, determined based on a random determination at
the gaming system, determined based on one or more side wagers
placed, determined based on time (such as the time of day),
determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more
pools or determined based on any other suitable method or
criteria.
In one embodiment, the gaming system enables the player to purchase
at least one accumulated symbol which can be utilized for a current
of future play of a game. For example, the gaming system enables
the player to add symbols to the persistence game arrangement by
enabling the player to purchase symbols which will be displayed by
the persistence game arrangement.
In one embodiment, the persistence game symbol evaluation trigger
event and/or the persistence game symbol utilization trigger event
occurs when an individual set of symbols (i.e., a column or row of
the persistence game arrangement) reaches a designated level as
described above. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment,
the persistence game symbol evaluation trigger event and/or the
persistence game symbol utilization trigger event can occur if one
of the rows of the persistence game displays a designated number of
accumulated symbols.
In various alternative embodiments, the persistence game symbol
evaluation trigger event and/or the persistence game symbol
utilization trigger event may be based on but not limited to at
least one of: (i) an amount of time played on the gaming system;
(ii) a random time of the day; (iii) an amount of money wagered on
the gaming system; (iv) an amount of money lost at the gaming
system; (v) an amount of money won at the gaming system; (vi) an
amount of money wagered at games in a gaming system; (vii) an
amount of money lost at the gaming systems in a gaming system;
(viii) an amount of money won at the gaming systems in a gaming
system; (ix) an event or outcome occurring in the primary game of
one of the gaming systems; (x) an event occurring due to a shared
random outcome generation; (xi) meeting one or more thresholds,
such as a number of plays or a wager pool exceeding a designated
amount; (xii) a random determination based on an amount wagered;
(xiii) an occurrence of a predetermined event; (xiv) one or more
side wagers placed; and (xv) any combination of these.
In one embodiment, the persistence game symbol evaluation trigger
event and/or the persistence game symbol utilization trigger event
is based on an outcome of a secondary game. For example, in
different embodiments, the accumulator advancement triggering event
is based on any suitable player input selection game, any
puzzle-type game, and any suitable offer and acceptance game, or
any spinning wheel game.
In one embodiment, the gaming system replaces one or more generated
symbols of a currently played game with one or more accumulated
symbols as described above. In one embodiment, for each accumulated
and displayed symbol, the gaming system causes that symbol to
replace a separate generated symbol for a current play of a game.
In one embodiment, the gaming system causes a plurality of
accumulated symbols to replace a plurality of generated symbols for
a current play of a game. In different embodiments, the
determination of which accumulated symbols will replace which
generate symbols is predetermined, randomly determined, determined
based on the player's status (such as determined through a player
tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol
combination, determined based on a random determination by the
central controller, determined based on a random determination at
the gaming system, determined based on one or more side wagers
placed, determined based on the player's primary game wager,
determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined
based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or
determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
In different embodiments, the determination of which generated
symbols are to be replaced by accumulated symbols is predetermined,
randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such
as determined through a player tracking system), determined based
on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a
random determination by the central controller, determined based on
a random determination at the gaming system, determined based on
one or more side wagers placed, determined based on the player's
primary game wager, determined based on time (such as the time of
day), determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one
or more pools or determined based on any other suitable method or
criteria.
In one embodiment, for an accumulated symbol that replaces a
generated symbol, the gaming system causes that accumulated symbol
to change to a different symbol. In one example embodiment, the
gaming system previously accumulated a purple seven symbol. In this
example, when the gaming system replaces one of the generated
symbols with the accumulated purple seven, the gaming system causes
that purple seven to change to a modifier symbol, such as a
multiplier symbol. In one embodiment, each accumulated symbol which
replaces a generated symbol functions as a wild symbol.
In one embodiment, for an accumulated symbol, the gaming system
causes that accumulated symbol to change to a different symbol
based on where the persistence game arrangement that accumulated
symbol. For example, if a first row of a persistence game
arrangement displays an accumulated multiplier symbol, that
accumulated multiplier symbol is a "2.times." multiplier. In this
example, if the gaming device subsequently causes the second row of
the persistence game arrangement to display that accumulated
multiplier symbol (i.e., the accumulated multiplier symbol moves up
because another generated symbol is determined to be accumulated),
the accumulated multiplier symbol changes to a "5.times."
multiplier symbol. In other words, in this example, the gaming
system changes an accumulated symbol based upon the position of
that accumulated symbol in the persistence game arrangement.
In one embodiment, the persistence game symbol utilization trigger
event occurs based on whether any set of symbols of a persistence
game arrangement are at a maximum capacity. In this embodiment,
upon the occurrence of the persistence game symbol utilization
trigger event, for each symbol displayed in the set of symbols at a
maximum capacity, the gaming system causes that symbol displayed in
that set to replace a generated symbol. In this embodiment, the
gaming system also randomly determines whether to cause other sets
of symbols of the persistence game arrangement that are not at
maximum capacity to replace any generated symbols.
In one embodiment, upon the occurrence of a persistence game symbol
utilization trigger event, the gaming system enables the player to
select the generated symbols to be replaced. In one embodiment,
upon the occurrence of the persistence game utilization trigger
event, for each accumulated symbol, the gaming system enables a
player to selectively replace a separate generated symbol with the
accumulated symbol. In another embodiment, upon the occurrence of
the persistence game utilization trigger event, the gaming system
enables a player to selectively replace at least one generated
symbol with at least one accumulated symbol.
In different embodiments, the awards associated with the formed
winning symbol combinations include, but are not limited to: a
quantity of free activations of one or more games; an applicable
multiplier for at least one, a plurality or each of the free spins;
a credit amount (based on a triggering event and/or a wager
placed); a quantity of picks in the game; a quantity of selections
in the game; a quantity of retrigger symbols in the game; a
quantity of terminators or termination symbols in the game; a
quantity of anti-terminators in the game; a quantity of locking
reels in the game; a quantity of locking symbol positions in the
game; a quantity of expanding symbols in the game; a quantity of
rounds or levels in the game; a quantity of award opportunities in
the game; a quantity of progressive awards in the game; a range of
available awards in the game; a quantity of active reels in the
game; a quantity of offers in the game; a paytable which will be
utilized in the game; a quantity of hands of playing cards in the
game; any combination thereof; and any other suitable award. In one
embodiment, the award associated with the accumulator includes an
activation of an additional win opportunity such as a two way pays
feature.
In one embodiment, where the gaming system employs a base game and
bonus game, any accumulated symbols that are not utilized for a
play of the bonus game are carried over into the base game and vice
versa.
In one embodiment, the persistence game symbol evaluation trigger
event for a play of a bonus game is different than the persistence
game symbol evaluation trigger event for a play of a base game. In
one example embodiment, the persistence game symbol evaluation
trigger event for a play of a bonus game occurs if the gaming
system generates two identical designated symbols for a play of the
bonus game. In this example, the persistence game symbol evaluation
trigger event for a play of a base game occurs if the gaming system
generates three identical designated symbols for a play of the
bonus game. In one embodiment, the persistence game symbol
utilization trigger event for a play of a bonus game is different
then the persistence game symbol utilization trigger event for the
play of a base game.
In one alternative embodiment, the gaming system utilizes different
accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game arrangement
in association with a play of bonus game than a play of a base
game. In one example embodiment, the gaming system includes a
persistence game arrangement that includes five columns. In this
example embodiment, upon the occurrence of a persistence game
symbol utilization trigger event for a play of a bonus game, the
gaming system causes each symbol accumulated and displayed by each
of the five columns of the persistence game arrangement to replace
a separately generated symbol for the play of the bonus game.
Conversely, upon the occurrence of a persistence game symbol
utilization trigger event for a play of a base game, the gaming
system causes each symbol accumulated and displayed by one of the
five columns of the persistence game arrangement to replace a
separately generated symbol for the play of the base game.
In one embodiment, where the gaming system employs a base game and
bonus game, the bonus triggering event occurs based on an elapsed
period of time, such as ten minutes since the last occurrence of a
group bonus triggering event. In various alternative embodiments,
the group bonus triggering event may be based on, but not limited
to, one or more of: (i) a random time of the day; (ii) an amount of
money wagered on the gaming system; (iii) an amount of money lost
at the gaming system; (iv) an amount of money won at the gaming
system; (v) an amount of money wagered at games in a gaming system;
(vi) an amount of money lost at the gaming systems in a gaming
system; (vii) an amount of money won at the gaming systems in a
gaming system; (viii) an event or outcome occurring in the primary
game of one of the gaming systems; (ix) an event occurring due to a
shared random outcome generation; (x) meeting one or more
thresholds, such as a number of plays or a wager pool exceeding a
designated amount; (xi) a random determination based on an amount
wagered; (xii) an occurrence of a predetermined event; (xiii) one
or more side wagers placed; and (xiv) any combination of these.
In one embodiment, the awards associated with the formed winning
symbol combinations in association with a play of the base game and
the awards associated with the formed winning symbol combinations
in association with a play of the bonus game are the same. In
another embodiment, the awards associated with the formed winning
symbol combinations in association with a play of the base game and
the award associated with the formed winning symbol combinations in
association with a play of the bonus game are the different.
In one alternative embodiment and in association with any of the
above described embodiments, the gaming system causes a reel strip
to accumulate and display generated symbols for a play of game. In
one embodiment, the gaming system includes a persistence game
arrangement which is at a maximum capacity. In this embodiment, for
an additional generated symbol that is determined to be
accumulated, the gaming system causes an additional reel strip to
display that additional generated symbol because the persistence
game arrangement is at maximum capacity. In another embodiment, the
gaming system causes an additional reel strip to display a
previously accumulated symbol (i.e., a symbol already displayed by
the persistence game arrangement) to create space for an additional
accumulated symbol. That is, in this embodiment, when a persistence
game arrangement is at maximum capacity and the gaming system
determines to accumulate an additional symbol, rather than causing
the persistence game arrangement to remove previously accumulated
symbols to create space for the additional symbol, the gaming
system causes additional reel strips to display the previously
accumulated symbols of the persistence game arrangement. In other
words, the previously accumulated symbols move from the persistence
game arrangement to the reel strips.
In one embodiment, the reel strips which display previously
generated symbols are each configured to display a maximum quantity
of symbols. In one embodiment, the gaming system causes a reel
strip to stop displaying any additional accumulated symbols when
the quantity of symbols displayed by that reel strip reaches a
designated level.
In one embodiment, upon a suitable triggering event the gaming
system determines whether the accumulated symbols displayed by the
reel strips form any winning symbol combinations. In one
embodiment, the gaming system causes each of the reels strips to
spin and generate symbols for a play of a game. In this embodiment,
the gaming system determines whether any of the generated symbols
form any winning symbol combinations and provides any awards
associated with the formed winning symbol combinations.
In one embodiment, the gaming system and/or the player tracking
system tracks the accumulated symbols. In this embodiment, the
player is enabled to end a first game play and start a second game
play, at a later time. When the player starts the second game play,
the player tracking system enables the player to begin with the
same accumulated symbols the player accumulated when the player
ended the first game play. In one embodiment, the accumulated
symbols are stored for a specific gaming device. In another
embodiment, in a server based gaming system, a network server
stores the accumulated symbols and thus the player is enabled to
play any of the gaming devices connected to the network using the
stored accumulated symbols. In another embodiment, the gaming
system and/or player tracking system does not track any accumulated
symbols when a player completes a game.
In another embodiment, upon an initiation of a gaming session, the
gaming system causes the persistence game arrangement to display
zero, one or more symbols. That is, before a player starts a first
play of the game, the gaming system displays zero, one or more
symbols in the persistence game arrangement. In different
embodiments, the determination of which symbols are to be displayed
and the quantity of symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based
on the player's status (such as determined through a player
tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol
combination, determined based on a random determination by the
central controller, determined based on a random determination at
the gaming system, determined based on one or more side wagers
placed, determined based on the player's primary game wager,
determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined
based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or
determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
In one embodiment, when a first player leaves the gaming system,
any accumulated symbols displayed by the persistence game
arrangement remain accumulated and displayed. That is, in this
embodiment, the gaming system enables a different second player to
start a play of game that can utilize symbols previously
accumulated by the first player's previous plays of the game.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to
the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *